Bleeding hearts are real highlights in the garden. It is annoying when they are attacked by pests or diseases. Then act quickly.
Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) is a hardy perennial that is resistant to most known plant diseases. Pests also rarely affect the robust plant. You should still pay attention to the plant and take a closer look at it from time to time. Occasionally, maintenance errors can occur. Aphids and voles are also an occasional threat to the perennial.
Wrong care - stunted growth
Too much and too little water - your bleeding heart resents both. Waterlogging occurs if watered too lavishly and the soil is heavily compacted. That does not like perennials. The bleeding heart then reacts with delayed growth. In the worst case, however, the rootstock begins to rot. Countermeasure: Dig up the plant, taking the opportunity to divide the root ball and improve the soil before replanting. The Bleeding Heart thrives best in loose, humus-rich soil.
Dried, drooping leaves indicate a lack of water. But pay attention to the time here: drying up is normal from July/August, because then the plant is preparing for autumn. From late summer, the perennial then retreats into the ground. If you notice the stunted leaves beforehand, change the watering rhythm. It is ideal if you always keep the soil slightly moist. You can also protect the soil from drying out with a thick layer of bark mulch. Otherwise, here are a few more care tips.
Attention, aphids!
The annoying aphids are mainly found on the underside of the leaves. To combat them, prepare nettle manure and spray the plant regularly (instructions here). A soft soap solution is also very effective. Add about a tablespoon of soap to a liter of water and spray the plant regularly until the aphids are all gone. You soap lays over the like a filmAphids causing the respiratory organs to clog and suffocate them.
What you can't do: It is often recommended to spray plants with aphids with a garden hose. The Bleeding Heart has delicate branches that break easily. So better not use the hose. On the other hand, ladybirds, lacewings and parasitic wasps, which are natural enemies of aphids, are beneficial.
Voles love roots and tubers
The rhizomes of the perennial are popular food for voles. The ravenous rodents set to work underground until the Bleeding Heart visibly suffers and withers. You can recognize the vole infestation by the entry holes in the corridors, which can spread over the entire garden. The problem: voles are difficult to control. As an immediate measure, but also to protect the bleeding heart in the future, it is best to put the plant underground in a very large clay pot. Make sure that the roots can still spread sufficiently. The clay pot then serves as a barrier against the voles.