Welcome back.
Forecasts can change. We check destination weather again before live plants leave the farm. Non-plant lavender goods continue shipping normally.
Real dishes from our Field Notes recipes, shared by the people who made them.
Your reaction votes in that category and also adds one equal point to the photo's overall Lavender Crown total.
Category accolades: the photo leading each emoji earns that badge; one photo can earn several. Overall Lavender Crown: all four emoji counts combine, and the highest monthly total wins. Monthly counts restart, but approved photos stay enrolled. Cultivar-confidence votes are separate.
Lavender companion · grow guide
Fernleaf Bleeding Heart · Dicentra
Fernleaf bleeding heart likes part shade and moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Unlike old-fashioned bleeding heart, it keeps its ferny leaves and blooms on and off through summer.
Check my zone & planting dates
Part shadeLight
Moderate waterAverage drainage
pH 5.5–7.0Soil
Zones 3a–9bHardiness
14″ tall18″ wide
ResistantDeer · rabbits resistant
Toxic to petsPets
Huckleberry saysTell me where you grow and I’ll check if Rubies and Diamonds will thrive there.
Hardy in zones 3a–9b
Spring or early fall.
Your year with Rubies and Diamonds
When it arrives
Plugs are small and dry out fast. Water on arrival, keep in bright light, and harden off a week before planting. Pot 72-cell plugs into 4 in pots in shade or plant directly into moist, rich soil. Shade from afternoon sun the first weeks.
Spring or early fall.
Set buds or the crown about 1 in below the soil surface. Fernleaf types spread slowly by shallow rhizomes; lay those horizontally.
12-18 in apart.
Loose, humus-rich loam · pH 5.5–7.0
Fix-it tip: Add compost or leaf mold to keep soil moist yet draining. Avoid spots that stay wet in winter; crowns rot.
Part shade (tolerates full sun with plenty of water; dappled shade).
Morning sun and afternoon shade give the most flowers.
Don’t give up on it
Ferny blue-green shoots appear in early to mid spring. Bloom starts in late spring and repeats, often slowing in hot weather and picking up again in fall.
Watch for shoots; top-dress with compost.
Water in heat; shear for rebloom.
Enjoy rebloom; tidy yellowing leaves.
Light mulch after freeze-up.
First season: Keep evenly moist through the first season.
After that: Water in dry spells; consistent moisture keeps it blooming.
Light. Spring compost or a light balanced feed.
Deadhead or shear lightly to encourage more blooms. Remove yellowed foliage in fall or early spring.
Every 3-5 years in early spring if clumps get crowded.
Very cold hardy (zones 3-9). Mulch lightly after the ground freezes.
May stop blooming and look tired in summer heat; rebloom often returns in fall.
Stopped blooming in JulyLikely cause: Summer heat
What to do: Keep watered and mulched; trim spent stems and expect fall rebloom.
Leaves yellow and collapseLikely cause: Dry soil or crown rot
What to do: Check soil moisture; improve drainage or water deeply.
No shoots in springLikely cause: Late start or winter rot
What to do: Wait until late spring; if nothing, check drainage before replanting.
Yellowing and dieback in summer heat means too dry or hot. Mushy crowns mean waterlogged soil.
All parts are poisonous (NC State, low severity): trembling, staggering, vomiting, diarrhea, or worse if a lot is eaten. Keep pets from chewing it; sap can irritate skin.
Deer: resistant · Rabbits: resistant
Finnegan saysStill not sure what’s wrong? Ask Plant Health — describe it or add a photo.
Good in pots · 2 gallon+
Fine in a shaded pot with rich mix; keep evenly moist.
Outdoor plant
Needs winter cold; keep outdoors.
Best after a cold winter
A cold winter supports strong spring bloom.
Plugs from the tray
3–4 inch pots for 3–5 weeks, until roots hold the soil
Garden bed or a 2 gallon potTime to move up? Slide the plant out: if white roots wrap the outside of the soil, it’s ready for the next size.
Planting with lavender
Give it its own spot
Needs shade and moist, rich soil, while lavender wants hot sun and dry soil. Grow it in a shady border with ferns, hostas, and brunnera.
Community Grower Report
Real results from gardeners who grow it, including how it does beside lavender. Answer only what you have experience with.
Loading community reports…
Overall
recommendation
Optional. The farm reads every tip before it appears on this page.
Grower-sourced information. Results reflect real gardens and farms and vary with climate, soil, plant age and care.
Great Lakes Lavender Farm
Use our evidence-led health checker for a practical recovery plan, staff review, or a second opinion from the Grower Community.
Reviews from growers, gardeners and shoppers.
Plants, lavender products, apparel, gifts and growing supplies.
You may also like
Here to help while we’re tending the farm
Hi! I’m Lavender Grower, Great Lakes Lavender Farm’s automated assistant.
I can help with growing lavender, choosing plants, orders, wholesale, claims, reviews, or the Farm Simulator.
