Bleeding Hearts False Sunflower

Bleeding Hearts Heliopsis (Heliopsis 'Bleeding Hearts'), also known as False Sunflower and Western Ox-Eye, is a bold, blooming powerhouse perfect for pollinator gardens and cottage borders. This striking perennial flaunts sunflower-like golden-yellow petals with a ruby-red center that bleeds into the heart of the flower, hence its evocative name.

It's a long-blooming, deer-resistant, clump-forming herbaceous perennial with dramatic deep purple-bronze foliage that stays colorful from spring through frost. This is a heat-tolerant, low-maintenance beauty that reblooms from early summer to fall without missing a beat.

Growing 3-4 feet tall and wide, Bleeding Hearts False Sunflower have sturdy, upright stems that rarely flop! The serrated foliage forms a dark, lush base for the explosion of two-toned daisy-like blooms. The flowers are held well above the foliage, attracting butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects. In fall, the foliage may develop deeper bronze-red tones before fading. The bird-friendly seed heads persist into winter for added texture.

Key Features

• Deep golden blooms with burgundy centers
• Purple-bronze foliage adds multi-season interest
• Long bloom time: early summer through fall
• Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects
• Cold-hardy in USDA zones 3-9
• Native cultivar with improved color and form

Landscaping Uses

Bleeding Hearts Heliopsis adds brilliant color and height to sunny gardens with its bold blooms and dark foliage. A modern cultivar of the native Heliopsis helianthoides, Bleeding Hearts was bred for darker foliage and intensified bloom contrast. Native across the eastern and central U.S., Heliopsis has long been a beloved symbol of cheer and longevity.

• Butterfly or pollinator gardens
• Cottage Garden borders
• Prairie and meadow plantings
• Back of mixed perennial beds and borders
• Cut flower gardens
• Mixed borders with ornamental grasses

Care & Maintenance

This is a tough, sun-loving herbaceous perennial with a high tolerance for drought, heat, humidity, and cold. Hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9, this sun-loving perennial thrives in a wide range of climates.

• Planting Time: Spring or fall
• Sun Requirements: Full sun is best; tolerates light afternoon shade in hotter zones
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil; tolerant of clay, loam, or average garden soil
• Moisture Needs: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established. Use the Finger Test to check soil moisture
• Arborist Mulch: Apply a 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds
• Fertilization Needs: Mix compost into planting hole or top-dress in spring; use a balanced fertilizer in early summer if desired
• Pruning Info: Deadhead spent blooms for continuous flowering. Learn more about deadheading. Can be cut back by half (pinched back) in midsummer for bushier regrowth
• Division Info: Divide every 3-5 years in spring or fall to rejuvenate and control size
• Special Perks/Growing Needs:
• Deer and rabbit resistant
• Handles urban pollution
• Cold-hardy, heat-tolerant
• Clay-tolerant

Add a Pop of Purple & Gold to Your Garden!

With its sunset-toned blooms and rich foliage, Bleeding Hearts Heliopsis is a showstopper that keeps the color coming for months. It's a rugged native cultivar that brings pollinators, cuts beautifully for vases, and looks great even in tough conditions. Order your Bleeding Hearts Heliopsis and start enjoying bold blooms and colorful foliage today from !