When to Plant Bleeding Hearts in USDA Zone 6b
Your June game plan for Zone 6b
June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Zone 6b.
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Start bleeding hearts under lights
Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.
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Harvest bleeding hearts as they ripen
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
Coming up in July — start thinking about
- First harvests: bleeding hearts
Bleeding Hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) are elegant woodland perennials producing arching stems hung with distinctive heart-shaped pink or white flowers with protruding inner petals — the "drops" beneath each heart. A beloved heirloom perennial from Asia, bleeding hearts emerge vigorously in spring, bloom prolifically for 4–6 weeks, and then go dormant in summer heat — a natural die-back that is entirely normal. The dormancy gap should be planned for by interplanting with summer-emerging hostas, ferns, or impatiens. Fringed bleeding heart (Dicentra eximia), a US native, has a longer bloom season and does not go fully dormant. All parts are toxic if ingested.
In Zone 6b, the average last spring frost is around April 3 and the first fall frost is around October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.
Bleeding Hearts Planting Timeline — Zone 6b
Where Is USDA Zone 6b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 6b. Click any state to see the Bleeding Hearts planting schedule for that location.
Bleeding Hearts Planting Calendar — Zone 6b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 30 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Bloom | June 5 | Jun 5 – Jul 10 |
Plant 1.5" deep · 24" apart · Rows 30" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | — |
| April | Transplant Outdoors |
| May | — |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 6b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 6b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
-5°F to 0°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
205 days (Zone 6b average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 24 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 30 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Bleeding Hearts in Zone 6b
Sow every 6.9 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Bleeding Hearts in Zone 6b
Plant bare-root crowns in early spring as soon as soil is workable, or in fall at least 6 weeks before hard freeze. Set eyes 1–2 inches below soil level. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal; deep shade is tolerated but reduces bloom. Keep moist but well-drained — will not tolerate waterlogged soil. After flowering, the foliage will yellow and die back in summer heat — this is normal. Do not cut back until foliage turns fully yellow; the plant is storing energy. Mark the location to avoid disturbing crowns during summer dormancy. Divide every 4–5 years in early spring. Year 2+ plants produce the fullest flowering display.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
- Bonus: square-foot gardening guide + printable seasonal planners
Saving Bleeding Hearts Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Bleeding Hearts in Other Zones
Bleeding Hearts by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Bleeding Hearts in Zone 6b?
In Zone 6b, plan your Bleeding Hearts planting around the average last frost date of April 3. Start seeds indoors around January 30. Transplant seedlings around April 10.
Can Bleeding Hearts grow in Zone 6b?
Yes, Bleeding Hearts can grow well in Zone 6b, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 9a. Zone 6b has a growing season of approximately 205 days, which is sufficient for Bleeding Hearts (60-90 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Bleeding Hearts in Zone 6b?
In Zone 6b, expect to harvest Bleeding Hearts from June 5 – July 10. Bleeding Hearts takes 60-90 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 6b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 6b is around April 3, and the first fall frost is around October 25. This gives a growing season of approximately 205 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Bleeding Hearts?
Good companion plants for Bleeding Hearts include Hostas, Ferns, Columbine, Astilbe. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Zone 6b Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 6b. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.