Ruby Gold Bleeding Heart
Ruby Gold Bleeding Heart
Ruby Hearts Over Glowing Gold Foliage
Ruby Gold Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis 'Ruby Gold') is a showstopper that delivers two features at once — dangling ruby-red, heart-shaped flowers above bright chartreuse-gold foliage that lights up shaded corners. Blooming in mid to late spring, the contrast of red on gold is unforgettable. Deer-resistant and reliably hardy, it brings season-long foliage color and spring flowers to woodland borders in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Ruby Gold Bleeding Heart Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Lamprocapnos spectabilis 'Ruby Gold' |
| 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 | Ruby-red 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 and lifts dark corners well beyond the bloom season. Space 24–30 inches apart.
Woodland borders: Stunning against dark-leaved 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 Ruby Gold 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 Ruby Gold 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
Gold Heart Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos): Pink hearts over similar gold foliage.
Hosta: Dark-leaved varieties make the gold foliage pop.
Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium): Silvery fronds that complement the gold leaves.
How Many Ruby Gold Bleeding Heart Do I Need?
This is a bold specimen plant, not a groundcover — one well-placed plant lights up a shaded corner. Space plants 24–30 inches apart, and for a fuller woodland drift plant in groups of 3 with companions tucked between to fill in when it rests in summer heat.
| Look | Suggested Planting |
|---|---|
| Accent / specimen | 1 plant in a shaded corner |
| Woodland drift | Groups of 3, 24–30 in. apart |
Ruby Gold Bleeding Heart Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Bright chartreuse-gold foliage unfurls, then dangling ruby-red hearts open in mid to late spring for an unforgettable red-on-gold display.
- Summer: The gold foliage glows on through early summer, then the plant may go summer-dormant in heat — perfectly normal.
- Fall: Quiet; nearby companions carry the bed once it has rested.
- Winter: Fully dormant and reliably hardy to zone 3, returning faithfully each spring.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Shade-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Gold Heart Bleeding Heart — pink hearts over the same glowing gold foliage for a matched pair.
- Jack Frost Brunnera — frosted silver leaves that fill the gap when the bleeding heart goes summer-dormant.
- Japanese Painted Fern — silvery fronds that complement the gold leaves and hold through summer.
- Lady Fern — bright green texture to fill in around the resting clump.
Is Ruby Gold Bleeding Heart Right for Your Yard?
It's ideal for part to full shade in rich, moist, well-drained soil, out of hot afternoon sun, where its gold foliage and ruby hearts brighten a woodland border. It is not a fit for hot, sunny beds — the bright gold leaves scorch — or for gardeners who want season-long foliage in one spot, since it naturally rests in summer heat.