Gold Heart Bleeding Heart
Gold Heart Bleeding Heart
Classic Pink Hearts Over Glowing Gold Foliage
Gold Heart Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis 'Gold Heart') pairs the timeless dangling pink hearts of old-fashioned bleeding heart with brilliant chartreuse-gold foliage that lights up the shade garden from the moment it emerges in spring. The contrast of soft pink flowers on glowing gold leaves is breathtaking. Deer-resistant and reliably hardy, it brings standout color to woodland and part-shade borders in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Gold Heart Bleeding Heart Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Lamprocapnos spectabilis 'Gold Heart' |
| Mature Size | 24–30 in. tall, 24–30 in. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 3–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Part shade to full shade (gold foliage may scorch in hot sun) |
| Bloom Time | Mid to late spring |
| Flower Color | Soft pink hearts over gold foliage |
| Soil | Moist, rich, well-drained; amend clay with compost |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to -30°F once established |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed by deer or rabbits |
| Foliage | Chartreuse-gold; may go summer-dormant in heat |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Brightening shade gardens: The gold foliage glows in shaded beds long after the flowers fade. Space 24–30 inches apart.
Woodland borders: Beautiful against dark hostas and green ferns. Pair with companions that fill in as it rests in summer heat.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September) into rich, moist, shaded soil. Keep moist through establishment.
How to Plant Gold Heart Bleeding Heart
Dig a hole twice the root ball width at the same depth, mixing in compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch 2 inches deep. Space 24–30 inches apart. Site it out of hot afternoon sun so the gold foliage doesn't scorch.
Watering Gold Heart Bleeding Heart
First year: Keep evenly moist — water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Prefers steady moisture in spring; needs little water once it goes summer-dormant.
Q: Does the gold foliage need shade?
Yes — give it part to full shade. Hot afternoon sun can scorch the bright gold leaves.
Q: Why does the foliage disappear in summer?
Bleeding heart naturally goes dormant in summer heat — that's normal. Plant companions to fill the gap.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Easily — hardy to zone 3, returning each spring.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — deer and rabbits rarely browse it.
You May Also Like
Valentine Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos): Cherry-red hearts on burgundy stems.
Hosta: Dark-leaved varieties make the gold foliage pop.
Astilbe: Plumed flowers for continued shade color.
How Many Gold Heart Bleeding Heart Do I Need?
Space Gold Heart 24–30 inches apart — the gold foliage forms a sizable mound. For a glowing run along a shaded border:
| Run Length | Plants Needed (at ~30 in) |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 4 |
| 20 ft | 8 |
| 30 ft | 12 |
| 40 ft | 16 |
One or three plants make a striking accent; pair with companions that fill in when it rests in summer heat.
Gold Heart Bleeding Heart Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Chartreuse-gold foliage emerges glowing, hung with dangling soft-pink hearts mid to late spring.
- Summer: Gold leaves brighten the shade; the plant often goes summer-dormant in heat.
- Fall: Quietly dormant once temperatures climb; companions carry the bed.
- Winter: Fully dormant; hardy to -30°F and reliably returns each spring.
At a Glance
✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Shade-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Golden Heart Bleeding Heart — another gold-leaved bleeding heart for a glowing shade drift
- Luxuriant Bleeding Heart — a fringed type that keeps blooming after Gold Heart rests
- Japanese Painted Fern — silver fronds that fill the gap when it goes summer-dormant
- Deutschland Astilbe — white summer plumes to carry color through the dormant stretch
Is Gold Heart Bleeding Heart Right for Your Yard?
Gold Heart thrives in part to full shade with rich, moist, well-drained soil — north-facing beds and woodland borders where the gold leaves won't scorch. Not a fit for hot afternoon sun, which burns the bright foliage, or for dry soil; plan for its summer dormancy with neighboring plants.