Like other herbaceous perennials, bleeding heart grows for many seasons from underground roots, but the plant's life cycle differs from that of many other perennials. Most perennials die back at the end of the growing season, in late fall and early winter. Bleeding heart, however, dies back to the ground by midsummer, right after its blooming season. The plant remains dormant through the rest of the year and grows again in late winter or early spring.
The plant takes two to five years to reach its mature height. Flowering Season. Early in spring, or late in winter in mild climates, new shoots grow from bleeding heart's rhizomatous roots under the soil. Rhizomatous roots are fleshy roots that store nutrients and genetic information from season to season. The green foliage grows 2 to 3 feet tall in a soft, mounding shape. By mid-spring, the flower stalks emerge above the foliage.
Each flower stalk holds multiple heart-shaped flowers that hang in a row. The weight of the flowers causes the narrow stalks to arch and hang toward the ground. Prevent a big hole in the landscape when bleeding heart dies back in midsummer by mixing other foliage plants with bleeding heart. Look for shade-loving plants that remain green through the growing season or all year. Hostas (Hosta spp.) make ideal companion plants for bleeding heart. The low-growing perennials come in an array of variegated leaf patterns and colors.
Transplanting bleeding hearts takes special care because the plant's roots prefer to go undisturbed. Choosing an ideal growing spot and preparing the new location can help the plant survive the transplant. Give it a nutrient-rich spot and continue caring for the plant after the move.
Hostas grow in partial to full shade and are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9. Ferns, such as the shade-loving Alaskan fern (Polystichum setiferum), which is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, grow well alongside bleeding heart.