False Sunflower 'Bleeding Hearts'

Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra 'Bleeding Hearts'

Asteraceae

• Full sun (6+ hours), tolerates part shade
• 36-48" tall x 24-36" wide
• Drought Tolerant: Yes (once established)
• Evergreen: No
• Flower Color: Spicy red to orange-bronze, blooms mid-summer through frost
• Wildlife Benefits: Attracts bees and butterflies; deer resistant

Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra 'Bleeding Hearts' is an upright, clump-forming native perennial that thrives in full sun conditions. This cultivar performs much better in full sun than part shade, developing the strongest growth in soil with average fertility and moisture. When grown in moist, rich soil it may require staking, but in average to lean, well-drained soil it maintains a sturdy, self-supporting habit. Once established, this native sunflower demonstrates excellent drought tolerance and heat resistance. The plant is well-suited to USDA zones 3-9 and prefers well-drained soils, readily adapting to average garden conditions. This is a short-lived perennial that readily self-seeds, making it an excellent choice for naturalized areas and meadow gardens.

The flowers of 'Bleeding Hearts' are spectacular and unique, representing the first seed-grown strain of Heliopsis without yellow in its petals. The blooms emerge as intense, fiery spicy-red and mature through shades of mango-orange and finally to toasty bronze over the course of the long blooming season from mid-summer through frost. Each flower is 2-3 inches in diameter with a dark burgundy center cone accented with yellow. The dramatic flowers are held on nearly black stems that rise above the foliage, creating striking contrast. The deep purple-green foliage features glossy, triangular leaves with bronze highlights that provide an ornamental backdrop throughout the season. This cultivar typically forms a bushy, well-branched plant reaching 3-4 feet tall.

This native perennial provides exceptional value for pollinators, with bees and butterflies heavily visiting the nectar-rich flowers throughout the growing season. The flowers make excellent cut flowers for fresh arrangements, with sturdy stems and long-lasting blooms. As a native North American wildflower, Heliopsis supports local ecosystems and provides habitat for beneficial insects. The plant is deer resistant, ensuring reliable performance in gardens frequented by wildlife. Young shoots can be harvested in early spring like asparagus, though the plant is primarily grown for ornamental purposes rather than culinary use.

'Bleeding Hearts' is perfect for the middle or back of mixed perennial borders where its height and bold color can shine. Use in cottage gardens, native plant gardens, and naturalized meadow plantings where it can self-seed. The dramatic dark foliage and fiery flowers make excellent companions for ornamental grasses, Echinacea, Rudbeckia, and Salvia. Plant with Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah', purple-flowered asters, or blue-flowered salvias for striking color combinations. The long blooming period makes it valuable for providing color from mid-summer into fall when many other perennials have finished blooming. Mass plantings create impressive drifts of color that attract clouds of pollinators.