What's on my old fashioned bleeding hearts root?

Paula Lambert
by Paula Lambert

This is a pic of my Old Fashioned Bleeding Hearts root. What is this gnarly part and should it be underground? The bush grows and blooms beautifully.

  5 answers
  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Mar 30, 2019

    just leave it alone if it's happy if you disturb it you may loose it

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Mar 30, 2019

    I'd just add some mulch around it.

  • Ellis Ellis on Mar 31, 2019

    Agree you should leave it alone. I tried to move a thriving bleeding heart plant, and it didn't take, so I lost it.

  • Jan Clark Jan Clark on Mar 31, 2019

    I did some investigating and found mostly.... nothing about your problem. However, if you have had a long wet season, this could be a fungus growth. (Not all fungi are bad!!!) Instead of mulching, perhaps cut back the dead bleeding heart stalks and remove the dead leaves. That would allow better air flow around the 'heart' of the plant and provide less food for the fungus (if that's what it is.). Watch for new growth from your plant as the spring progresses. If it looks unwell, then treat for that specific issue.

  • Sharon Sharon on Apr 04, 2019

    Looks like a lichen or a moss from what I can see. Take a sliver to the garden center and they can advise you.