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When to plant Bleeding Hearts in Dunklin County County,

Plant Bleeding Hearts in Dunklin County County during the brief April 3–April 17 window. With 220 frost-free days, fall plantings can't mature before November 2.

When to Plant Bleeding Hearts in Dunklin County, MO

Dunklin County, Missouri Zone 7b June

This month in Dunklin County, Missouri

June is a pivotal month for Dunklin County, Missouri gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost March 27
Avg. first frost November 2
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for bleeding hearts

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

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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.

Dunklin County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 1,344 feet, Dunklin County receives approximately 33.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Bleeding Hearts during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Dunklin County, MO (Zone 7b) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Dunklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Bleeding Hearts Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 15 Transplant: Mar 26 🌸 Bloom: May 14 – Jun 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Apr 3 🌸 Bloom: May 22 – Jun 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Apr 23 🌸 Bloom: Jun 11 – Jul 16

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 Dunklin County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–7.1) overlaps with Bleeding Hearts's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Dunklin 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 220-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 04 to harvest before frost.

Bleeding Hearts Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 706 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Dunklin 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 ~1,538 GDD — county provides 4,510 GDD Excellent fit

Bleeding Hearts Planting Timeline — Dunklin County, MO

Bleeding Hearts Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 23 Jan 23 – Feb 6
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 17
Bloom May 22 May 22 – Jun 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

220 days in Dunklin County

Growing Tips for Bleeding Hearts in Dunklin County

Direct sow Bleeding Hearts outdoors after March 27 in Dunklin 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 Dunklin County, MO?

Dunklin County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Bleeding Hearts planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dunklin County, MO?

Dunklin County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 2.

When should I plant Bleeding Hearts in Dunklin County, ?

In Dunklin County, , plant Bleeding Hearts after the last frost (around March 27) and before the first frost (around November 2). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Dunklin County, for Bleeding Hearts?

Dunklin County sits in USDA Zone 7b. Bleeding Hearts grows reliably in zones 3a through 9a, so it's a good fit here.

Can Bleeding Hearts grow in Dunklin County's climate?

Yes — Bleeding Hearts grows well in Dunklin County's temperate climate. Dunklin County averages a 220-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 27 and first frost around November 2.

🌱

Your Dunklin County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Dunklin County (Zone 7b). 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 Dunklin County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.