Western bleeding heart is a hardy, moderate to low water perennial well suited to shady borders. It has deeply toothed blue-green, ferny foliage that forms mounds that grow 6 to 12 inches tall, but may slowly spread 12 to 18 inches by way of rhizomes. Medium to deep pink heart-shaped flowers hang along arching stems in late spring. This west-coast native is remarkably drought tolerant. Attracts hummingbirds but not deer.
Grow in well drained, loamy soil in part to full shade (though flowering will be less in dark shade). Deadhead spent flowers for a tidy appearance, but otherwise, it doesn't need much but a bit of regular watering. Cut back old foliage in late winter to early spring; it can also be divided then, if desired (see Guides).