Love-Lies-Bleeding

Love-lies-bleeding is grown for its long dangling crimson tassels that appear all summer and dry well. It shrugs off heat, wind and poor soil, so give it full sun and avoid rich feeding that only makes it floppy.

Sun

Full sun

Water

Light; drought tolerant once established

Spacing

18 in

First harvest

70-90; annual

Tips

• Barely cover the tiny seed at about 1/8 inch deep and thin seedlings to 12-18 inches once they can be handled.
• Water until roots are established, then irrigate only through prolonged dry spells.
• Skip fertilizer in average soil; rich beds and heavy nitrogen produce tall stems that flop in wind.
• Pinch the growing tip of young plants, or stake them in exposed sites, for bushier or sturdier tassels.
• Cut stems when tassels are full but before they shed seed for fresh or dried arrangements, and remove heads before they drop if you do not want volunteers.