The bleeding hearts are so gorgeous this year. We planted them on the north side of our home and they are sheer perfection. I have gotten into some friendly debate over the years about these spectacular plants. Many people insist on planting them in full sun. I disagree and I finally have these photos as evidence! These receive virtually no sun at all and they are as content as can be. Passers by often comment on our bleeding hearts and it does my bleeding heart good! I’m thinking of adding some white ones this year. I highly recommend this plant for any shady location in well drained, average soil. They will come back larger and more flawless every year.
| Botanical Name: | Dicentra spectabilis |
| Form: | Perennial |
| Sun Exposure: | Partial Shade |
| Height/Habit: | Up to 3′ |
| Spread: | 36″ |
| Spacing: | 24 – 36″ |
| Hardiness Zone: | 2 – 9 |
| Foliage Type: | Finely-dissected medium green leaves. |
| Flower Form: | Heart-shaped (larger than eximia) pendulous racemes to 9″ long. |
| Flower Color: | Red heart with white teardrop. |
| Flowering Date: | Late Spring-Early Summer. |
| Planting Requirements: | Will die out in wet soils, good drainage is a must. Plant may die back after flowering and go summer-dormant and resume growth next spring. |
| Soil Requirements: | Moist, fertile, rich in organic matter, good drainage. |
| Growth Rate: | Moderate to Fast. |
| Unique Characteristics: | Clusters of drooping heart-shaped blooms, an old-fashioned favorite for the garden. |
| Pruning: | None necessary. |
| Additional Information: | Taken to England from Japan by Robert Fortune in 1847. Dies back by mid-summer, leaving a gap in the landscape which may be easily concealed when planted with hosta, ferns, astilbes or other shade tolerant items. |
createityourself 
That is just beautiful! I wasn’t aware they would do so well in shady areas. That’s good to know.
You are right, shade is exactly what they need!