Easter flowers
Many people consider a small group of flowers as Easter flowers but really there are so many more. Lilies, daffodils and tulips are nice but what about the lovely bleeding heart?
Bleeding Hearts, originally from Japan, are wonderful plants, almost looking like their flowers are floating in the breeze. They have a long blooming cycle and aren’t difficult to grow. I recall my great-grandmother had huge stands of them with their pink flowers hanging down from fern-like leaves.
Bleeding Heart requires average, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. They are propagated by seed or root division which takes place every three or four years in the spring. They do best with manure or compost to feed them.
The plant takes about two years to mature and grows to an average of two or three feet around. They can get bushy but they will die back over the winter and come back the following spring looking great. There are no real insect or disease problems, which is an extra plus for the plants.
For many people, the plants have a religious significance which may make them the best plant to give for Easter. A drop of blood hangs from the tip of each flower, signifying the death of Christ.
If you haven’t ever grown any bleeding hearts, give them a try in a pot on your patio this year. I’m sure you’ll be pleased with the results. Happy Easter!
Bleeding hearts are also known as Dutchman’s breeches when the flowers on the plant are white. Many people think they look like short pants instead of hearts.
Photo and story by The Plant Lady
