Gardeners love bleeding heart plants for their graceful, dangling pink heart-shaped flowers that nod charmingly in the spring breeze. While most garden centers sell bleeding hearts as potted plants, you may come across bare root options, especially when ordering online. If you’ve never seen a bare root perennial, pictures of bare root bleeding hearts will help you know what to expect when your order arrives.
What Does a Bare Root Bleeding Heart Look Like?
When you order a bare root bleeding heart, you won’t receive a potted plant Instead, the roots will be exposed, with no soil attached Here’s what a typical bare root bleeding heart looks like
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A short, stubby root system with some finer feeder roots. The roots may look shriveled or dry.
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A crown where the roots meet the very bottom of the stems. It may have some buds or early stem growth.
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No leaves, flowers, or upper plant growth. The plant will be completely dormant.
Bare root plants rely on their root systems for nourishment before leaves appear. The roots are often coated with a hydrating gel or packed in moist materials. If roots appear overly dry or brittle, soak them in water for 1-2 hours before planting.
Why Are Bleeding Hearts Sold as Bare Roots?
Nurseries and online stores sell perennials like bleeding heart as bare roots for a few key reasons:
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Bare roots are lighter and cheaper to ship than potted plants.
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It allows plants to be harvested and shipped during dormancy before buds break.
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Roots aren’t disturbed by transplanting from pots, resulting in less transplant shock.
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Gardeners can see the entire intact root system before planting.
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Plants establish quickly when planted directly into garden soil as bare roots.
For the best results, plant bare roots as soon as possible after receiving them. Store in a humid location for a few days or up to 2-3 weeks at most if needed.
How to Plant and Care for a Bare Root Bleeding Heart
Planting a bare root perennial takes a little more care than a potted plant but follows the same basics:
Step 1: Prepare the Planting Area
Choose a partly shaded spot with rich, well-draining soil. Dig a hole 2-3 times wider than the root system and deep enough to accommodate the roots. Add compost if needed to enrich the soil.
Step 2: Hydrate the Roots
Soak the bare root plant in a bucket of water for 1-2 hours before planting. This rehydrates roots and ensures the plant has adequate moisture after planting.
Step 3: Prune Damaged Roots/Stems
Trim off any broken or excessively long roots. Prune any dead stems back to healthy growth. Make cuts just above outward-facing buds.
Step 4: Place in Hole
Spread roots out in the hole. Position the crown slightly above ground level. Refill the hole with soil, gently tamping down to remove air pockets.
Step 5: Water Thoroughly
Water deeply after planting. Add 2-3 inches of mulch around the plant to retain moisture while roots establish.
Step 6: Provide Care as Usual
Once planted, care for bare root plants identically to container plants. Apply fertilizer, monitor watering, and watch for pests.
With proper planting and care, bare root perennials like bleeding hearts establish quickly and often grow vigorously. The key is getting them in the ground as soon as possible after receiving them.
Where to Order Bare Root Bleeding Heart Plants Online
Reliable online vendors that sell top-quality bare root bleeding hearts include:
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Gurney’s – Offers classic Dicentra spectabilis bare roots. Ships at proper planting time.
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Nature Hills Nursery – Sells classic bleeding hearts plus rarer varieties like Gold Heart.
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American Meadows – Specializes in perennials. Good selection of potted and bare root options.
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Brecks – Ships large field-grown bare roots. Carries common types and unusual cultivars.
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Stark Bro’s – A leading fruit nursery that also sells select perennial bare roots.
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Burpee – A longtime favorite among home gardeners. Wide variety of bare root perennials.
Order early, as supply of top-grade bare roots is limited. Look for bleached white, plump roots with no mold or pests. Store in a cool basement until it’s time to plant according to your zone’s last frost date.
Top Tips for Planting and Growing Bare Root Bleeding Hearts
Follow these top care tips to help your new bare root bleeding heart thrive:
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Plant bare roots at the proper planting depth. The crown should be just above soil level.
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Water newly planted bare roots daily for the first week, then weekly if rainfall is lacking.
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Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
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Stake taller types like D. spectabilis to prevent flopping once growth resumes.
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Avoid disturbing the roots after planting. Dig carefully around plants when adding mulch or fertilizer.
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Feed monthly with a balanced flower fertilizer to nurture growth and flowering.
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After plants are established, divide congested clumps in fall every 3-5 years.
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Cut back stems and clean up dying foliage after flowering ends to maintain a tidy appearance.
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Mark plant locations so you don’t accidentally dig them up when dormant in late fall/winter.
With proper selection, planting, and care, bare root bleeding hearts will soon burst into luxurious blooms. A picture is worth a thousand words, so review images of bare roots before planting day. Understanding what to expect will lead to success growing these garden gems from root to flower.
How to plant Bleeding Heart bare root
FAQ
How do you plant bare roots in bleeding heart?
What happens if you touch a bleeding heart plant?
What month do you plant bleeding hearts?
What is bleeding heart bare root?
Bleeding heart bare root is not your typical garden plant – it’s a delicate and intricate flowering plant that comes in bare root form. Also known as Dicentra spectabilis, this flowering plant is named after its uniquely shaped flowers that resemble a bleeding heart.
Are bleeding heart plants sold bare root?
Bleeding heart plants are sold as bare root plants or tubers. The dormant roots of the plant are referred to as bleeding heart tubers.
What is bare root bleeding heart vs bleeding heart tubers?
Bare root bleeding heart and bare root bleeding heart tubers are the same thing. They are the dormant roots of the plant that need to be planted at specific times in order to eventually leaf out and bloom. You may wonder which is better to plant, bare root bleeding heart tubers vs. established bleeding heart plants. (Note: The original passage mentioned ‘bleeding heart tubers’ twice, but it should have been ‘bare root bleeding heart’ both times to maintain consistency with the question.)
When should I plant bleeding heart bare root?
Bleeding heart bare root should be planted in early spring or fall when the soil is moist and cool. Planting early in the season provides enough time for the roots to establish and grow before the hot summer months. If you plant in fall, wait until after the first frost when the plants go dormant.
How do you plant bleeding heart bare root?
How to plant bleeding heart bare root Choose a planting area. Choose a well-drained, partially shaded area, ideally with rich, fertile soil. Prepare the soil. Loosen the soil, remove any weeds, and add compost or organic matter to increase soil fertility. Dig a hole.
Are bleeding heart tubers a flowering plant?
Bleeding heart is a flowering plant that can be grown as container plants with leafed-out and potentially flowering plants available for purchase. The tubers or bare roots of the plant are what are sold for planting in the garden and need to be planted at specific times to eventually leaf out and bloom.