Fringed Bleeding Heart Plant

Fringed bleeding heart is a native Appalachian perennial with finely divided, fernlike leaves and nodding pink to purple hearts. It blooms from spring into summer, and the Missouri Botanical Garden lists it for USDA zones 3–9; North Carolina Extension also notes that a fall rebloom can occur in hot climates. [North Carolina Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/dicentra-eximia/) · [Missouri Botanical Garden](https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?=&chr=3&compcolor=FFFFFF&compp=0&isprofile=0&ss=8&taxonid=284861). ## Growing Conditions Plant in partial or dappled shade in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. It suits woodland edges, rocky shade gardens, and naturalized plantings. Mature dimensions vary by reference: Missouri Botanical Garden reports 1–1.5 feet tall and wide, while North Carolina Extension gives 6–18 inches tall and 18–24 inches wide. The catalog’s existing 12–24 inch labels retain that documented range. ## Maintenance Keep the root zone from drying during summer, but avoid wet winter soil. Once established in a suitable site it needs little routine care; cut back old foliage after it dies down. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and the plant is listed as deer and rabbit resistant.