Squirrel corn typically blooms a week or two later than Dutchman’s breeches and is not as common in Iowa woodlands. Flowers are white, narrow, and distinctly heart-shaped. It is similar in size and foliage to Dutchman’s breeches. Squirrel Corn ( Dicentra canadensis) is another Midwestern native bleeding heart. Woodland areas covered in Dutchman’s breeches are a sight to behold!Ī picture illustrating Dutchman's Breeches, Bleeding Hearts. This species is native to Iowa woodlands and ephemeral. Plants are small - rarely reaching more than a foot tall with blooms. The foliage is finely dissected and gray-green. Flowers resemble white pantaloons hung upside down on arching lines, hence the name Dutchman’s breeches. Blooms are creamy white with ribbons of pale yellow. Having ephemerals in the landscape does mean the gardener needs to plan for an empty or open space in summer and fall.ĭutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) is the first of the bleeding hearts to bloom in spring. When spring arrives, they re-appear and celebrate the season with prolific blooms. Ephemeral plant species choose to avoid the heat of summer by persisting below ground – sometimes for nine months. This means the leaves yellow and the above ground portion of the plant dies back in mid to late-summer. Soils that remain wet over winter are especially problematic. They are also susceptible to root rots in soggy or wet soils. Bleeding hearts do not like dry soils, especially in the heat of the summer. Plants in full shade will have fewer blooms. Plants can even be successfully grown in areas that receive mid-day sun if the soil is consistently moist. Sites that receive early morning or late day sun are generally good locations for bleeding hearts.

Their delicate and graceful demeanor may be misleading, as these plants are surprisingly resilient and easy to grow.īleeding hearts prefer partial shade with fertile, moist, well-drained soils, but they are also tolerant of other conditions. Their delicate flowers and foliage are nice textural compliments to other shade-loving perennials like hosta and coral bells. Several of these species perform well in Iowa landscapes. There are approximately 20 different species of bleeding hearts that are native to moist woodland areas in Asia and North America.

The unique heart-like flowers are created by two-spurred petals with a protruding inner petal that creates the “drop of blood” common for bleeding hearts.

Their distinctive spring flowers are often complimented by finely-divided or dissected foliage. Bleeding hearts are elegant perennials that grace many gardens and landscapes in Iowa.

Wild bleeding heart vine