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When to plant Bleeding Hearts in Phillips County County,

In Phillips County County, Bleeding Hearts is a spring-only crop. Plant March 14–March 28 once soil hits 50°F.

When to Plant Bleeding Hearts in Phillips County, AR

Phillips County, Arkansas Zone 8a June

Your June planting checklist for Phillips County, Arkansas

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Phillips County, Arkansas this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 14
Avg. first frost November 12
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs

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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.

Phillips County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 678 feet, Phillips County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Bleeding Hearts during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Phillips County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Phillips County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Bleeding Hearts Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 12 Transplant: Mar 9 🌸 Bloom: Apr 27 – May 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (166 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Mar 14 🌸 Bloom: May 2 – May 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Apr 7 🌸 Bloom: May 26 – Jun 23

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Phillips County

How your county's soil matches Bleeding Hearts's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.7) overlaps with Bleeding Hearts's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Phillips County is excellent for Bleeding Hearts — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Bleeding Hearts.

How to Plant Bleeding Hearts

1.5"
Planting Depth
24"
Between Plants
30"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Bleeding Hearts

4
successive plantings in your 243-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 14 to harvest before frost.

Bleeding Hearts Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 352 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding Hearts needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Bleeding Hearts Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Phillips County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Bleeding Hearts Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Bleeding Hearts needs ~1,481 GDD — county provides 4,799 GDD Excellent fit

Bleeding Hearts Planting Timeline — Phillips County, AR

Bleeding Hearts Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 17 Jan 17 – Jan 31
Transplant Outdoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Bloom May 2 May 2 – May 30

Plant 1.5" deep · 24" apart · Rows 30" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February
March Transplant Outdoors
April
May Bloom
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

243 days in Phillips County

Growing Tips for Bleeding Hearts in Phillips County

Direct sow Bleeding Hearts outdoors after March 14 in Phillips County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Bleeding Hearts in Phillips County, AR?

Phillips County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Bleeding Hearts planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Phillips County, AR?

Phillips County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 12.

When should I plant Bleeding Hearts in Phillips County, ?

In Phillips County, , plant Bleeding Hearts after the last frost (around March 14) and before the first frost (around November 12). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Phillips County, for Bleeding Hearts?

Phillips County sits in USDA Zone 8a. Bleeding Hearts grows reliably in zones 3a through 9a, so it's a good fit here.

Can Bleeding Hearts grow in Phillips County's climate?

Yes — Bleeding Hearts grows well in Phillips County's temperate climate. Phillips County averages a 243-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 14 and first frost around November 12.

🌱

Your Phillips County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Phillips County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Phillips County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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