Bleeding Heart Companion Plants That Will Make Your Garden Pop

Bleeding hearts (Dicentra spectabilis) are a beloved perennial for their delicate, heart-shaped flowers that bloom in spring. They're perfect for shady gardens, and they're relatively easy to care for. But did you know that choosing the right companion plants can make your bleeding hearts even more spectacular?

In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the best companion plants for bleeding hearts. We'll also talk about how to plant and care for these plants together, so you can create a beautiful and harmonious garden.

Choosing Companion Plants for Bleeding Hearts

When choosing companion plants for bleeding hearts, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you'll want to choose plants that have similar growing requirements. Bleeding hearts prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. They're also deer-resistant, which is a bonus.

Second, you'll want to choose plants that will complement the look of your bleeding hearts. Bleeding hearts have delicate flowers, so you'll want to avoid plants that are too showy or overwhelming. Instead, look for plants with smaller flowers or foliage that will provide a nice backdrop for the bleeding hearts.

Some good companion plants for bleeding hearts include:

• Hostas: Hostas are a classic companion plant for bleeding hearts. They have large, lobed leaves that provide a nice contrast to the delicate flowers of the bleeding hearts. Hostas also bloom in the spring, so they'll help to extend the blooming season in your garden.
• Ferns: Ferns are another good choice for companion plants for bleeding hearts. They have delicate fronds that will add a touch of elegance to your garden. Ferns also prefer partial shade and moist soil, so they'll thrive in the same conditions as bleeding hearts.
• Brunnera: Brunnera is a plant with blue or white flowers that bloom in the spring. It has attractive, dark green leaves that are spotted with white. Brunnera is a good choice for companion plants for bleeding hearts because it has similar growing requirements and it will help to fill in the space after the bleeding hearts have finished blooming.
• Astilbe: Astilbe is a plant with tall, airy plumes of flowers that bloom in the summer. It comes in a variety of colors, including white, pink, red, and purple. Astilbe is a good choice for companion plants for bleeding hearts because it will help to add height and interest to your garden.
• Coralbells: Coralbells are plants with colorful foliage that blooms in the spring. They come in a variety of colors, including red, pink, orange, and yellow. Coralbells are a good choice for companion plants for bleeding hearts because they will help to add color and interest to your garden.

Planting and Caring for Bleeding Heart Companion Plants

Once you've chosen your companion plants, it's time to plant them. Bleeding hearts and their companion plants should be planted in the spring or fall. When planting, make sure to give each plant enough space to grow. Bleeding hearts need about 18 inches of space, while other companion plants may need more or less space.

After planting, water your plants well. Bleeding hearts and their companion plants prefer moist soil, so you may need to water them more often during hot, dry weather.

In the spring, fertilize your plants with a balanced fertilizer. You can also mulch around your plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Bleeding hearts and their companion plants are relatively easy to care for. With a little care, you can enjoy their beauty for years to come.

Conclusion

Bleeding hearts are a beautiful and versatile plant that can add a touch of elegance to any garden. By choosing the right companion plants, you can create a stunning display that will bloom all season long.

Here are a few tips for choosing companion plants for bleeding hearts:

• Choose plants that have similar growing requirements.
• Choose plants that will complement the look of your bleeding hearts.
• Plant your companion plants in the spring or fall.
• Water your plants regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
• Fertilize your plants in the spring.
• Mulch around your plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

With a little care, you can enjoy the beauty of bleeding hearts and their companion plants for years to come.

Bleeding hearts are beautiful spring flowers that add a touch of elegance to any garden. But did you know that they can also be beneficial to other plants? That's right, bleeding hearts can actually attract beneficial insects, such as hummingbirds and butterflies, which can help to pollinate other plants in your garden.

If you're looking for companion plants for your bleeding hearts, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind. First, bleeding hearts prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. So, you'll want to choose companion plants that have similar growing conditions.

Some good companion plants for bleeding hearts include:

• Hostas
• Ferns
• Brunnera macrophylla (Jack Frost)
• Astilbes
• Coral bells (Heuchera)
• Foamflowers (Tiarella)
• Foamy bells (Heucherella)

These plants will all thrive in the same conditions as bleeding hearts and will help to add interest and color to your garden throughout the growing season.

For more information about bleeding heart companion plants, I recommend visiting Gardenia Inspiration. This website has a wealth of information on all aspects of growing bleeding hearts, including companion planting.

FAQ of bleeding heart companion plants

Q: What are some good companion plants for bleeding hearts?

A: Bleeding hearts prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Some good companion plants for bleeding hearts include:

• Hostas: Hostas are shade-loving plants that have large, attractive leaves. They will help to hide the bleeding heart's bare spot after it blooms.
• Ferns: Ferns are another good choice for companion plants for bleeding hearts. They add a touch of elegance to the garden and help to create a lush, woodland feel.
• Astilbes: Astilbes are tall, airy plants that bloom in the summer. They will help to add height and interest to your bleeding heart planting.
• Heuchera: Heuchera, also known as coral bells, are colorful plants that bloom in the spring. They come in a variety of colors, so you can choose ones that complement the color of your bleeding hearts.
• Lamium: Lamium, also known as dead nettle, is a low-growing plant that blooms in the spring and summer. It has attractive white, pink, or purple flowers and is a good choice for filling in the spaces around your bleeding hearts.

Q: What are some plants that should not be planted near bleeding hearts?

A: There are a few plants that should not be planted near bleeding hearts, as they can compete with them for water and nutrients. These plants include:

• Daylilies: Daylilies are very thirsty plants and can crowd out bleeding hearts.
• Irises: Irises also need a lot of water and can compete with bleeding hearts.
• Tulips: Tulips only bloom for a short period of time and can be aggressive in their growth.
• Daffodils: Daffodils are also short-lived and can be aggressive.
• Hyacinths: Hyacinths are another short-lived bulb that can be aggressive.

Q: What is the best time to plant bleeding heart companion plants?

A: The best time to plant bleeding heart companion plants is in the spring or fall. This will give them time to establish themselves before the bleeding hearts start to bloom.

Q: How far apart should bleeding heart companion plants be planted?

A: The spacing requirements for bleeding heart companion plants will vary depending on the size of the plants. In general, you should space them about 12-18 inches apart.

Q: How do I care for bleeding heart companion plants?

A: Bleeding heart companion plants are relatively easy to care for. They need to be watered regularly, especially during the hot summer months. They should also be fertilized once a year in the spring.

Image of bleeding heart companion plants

Hosta is a classic companion plant for bleeding heart. The large, heart-shaped leaves of hostas provide a beautiful backdrop for the delicate flowers of bleeding heart. Hostas also prefer shady conditions, so they are a good match for bleeding heart, which also prefers shade.

• Astilbe is another good companion plant for bleeding heart. Astilbe has airy, fern-like foliage that adds texture and interest to the garden. The flowers of astilbe are also shade-tolerant, and they bloom in a range of colors that complement the flowers of bleeding heart.
• Brunnera macrophylla, also known as Siberian bugloss, is a low-growing perennial with blue flowers that bloom in early spring. Brunnera's foliage is also blue-green, which creates a beautiful contrast with the pink or white flowers of bleeding heart.
• Coral bells (Heuchera) is a genus of perennials with colorful foliage. Coral bells come in a variety of colors, including red, orange, yellow, and purple. They are shade-tolerant and bloom in late spring or early summer.
• Woodland wildflowers can also be good companion plants for bleeding heart. Some good choices include trillium, columbine, and bluebells. These wildflowers prefer shady conditions and bloom in early spring, making them a good match for bleeding heart.