Heliopsis 'Bleeding Hearts' is a striking cultivar of false sunflower featuring deep bronze foliage and rich ruby red blooms that darken with age. A favorite for pollinators and bold borders as it adds summer long color and texture with minimal care.
Height & Spread: 36 - 48 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Mid summer to fall
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Average, well drained soils; tolerates poor soils
Watering Needs: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
Deer Resistance: Moderately deer resistant
Native Status
This cultivar derives from Heliopsis helianthoides, a species native to eastern North America.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Attracts Monarchs, Painted Ladies, and other summer butterflies with abundant nectar.
Bees
- Visited by a range of native bees including sweat bees and long horned bees.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 18 - 24 in apart to allow for upright clump formation and airflow.
Landscape Placement
- Great for mixed perennial beds, pollinator gardens, and back borders where dark foliage and long bloom period provide visual interest.
Companion Plants
- Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) - Adds vertical movement and fall foliage color in dry soils.
- Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) - Offers structure and complementary bloom timing and color.
- Agastache foeniculum (Anise Hyssop) - Aromatic with spires of lavender blue flowers that support pollinators.
- Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' - Adds vertical spikes and deep purple hues to accent red blooms.
- Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' - Contrasts with bright yellow and attracts similar pollinators.