Common bleeding heart is ideal for shaded spring borders or woodland settings. Try them mixed in with begonias, ferns, hostas, primroses, or bergenias. Plan to put in a filler plant that will bloom or provide foliage interest for the rest of the growing season after the ripened stems have died back in summer.

Fringed bleeding heart will bloom all season in place and will take more sun. Fringed bleeding hearts make a lovely ground cover, or foreground plant in a flower bed. Their compact, low clumps of feathery foliage set off bright colored annuals and fill in spaces in the rock gardens as well.

Cutting/Displaying Indoors: Combine flowering stems of either type of bleeding heart with other colorful flowers in spring bouquets. They are a charming addition to bunches of pansies, lily of the valley, coralbells, sweet woodruff, columbine and dwarf daffodils. Fringed bleeding heart blossoms are useful all summer in arrangements with coralbells, impatiens, petunias, veronicas, astilbes and other seasonal flowers.

Cut flower stems with newly opening blossoms early in the day and immerse them in warm water immediately. Strip off any stems that may be below the water surface. Later arrange them in a vase in water laced with an equal proportion of commercial floral conditioner or citrus-based, non-diet carbonated soda to prolong their freshness.

For more information see file on Caring for Cut Flowers and Cut Flower Supplies.