Overwintering guide
How to overwinter king of hearts bleeding heart
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills king of hearts bleeding heart in winter
Cutting king of hearts bleeding heart hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More king of hearts bleeding heart care
Overwintering king of hearts bleeding heart — FAQ
Does king of hearts bleeding heart need to come indoors for winter?
King of Hearts Bleeding Heart is hardy to roughly USDA zone 5 — winter lows around -29°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. King of Hearts Bleeding Heart is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move king of hearts bleeding heart for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water king of hearts bleeding heart in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills king of hearts bleeding heart over winter?
Cutting king of hearts bleeding heart hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.