I awaken from my winter dormancy as the soil warms. My new, pinkish-white shoots are extremely tender and vulnerable to late frosts. Please ensure I am well-mulched to protect my emerging crown. This is my most vigorous growth period; I am desperate for consistent moisture to support the development of my arching stems and those distinctive, heart-shaped flowers. A gentle application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer mixed into the soil around me will fuel my spectacular spring display. Watch for slugs and snails; they find my new growth particularly delicious.
The heat of summer arrives, and my strategy shifts. After my initial flowering period, you can encourage a potential second, smaller bloom by deadheading the spent flower stalks. Do not cut back the entire plant, however, as my foliage is still busy photosynthesizing and storing energy for next year. My primary demand now is water. I am shallow-rooted and will wilt dramatically if allowed to dry out. A thick layer of organic mulch is my best friend, as it keeps my roots cool and conserves precious soil moisture. I will appreciate some afternoon shade to protect me from the scorching sun.
As daylight shortens and temperatures cool, my growth slows. My leaves will begin to yellow and die back naturally. Please resist the urge to tidy me up too early! Allow my foliage to wither completely. This process is crucial as I am drawing the last remaining nutrients back down into my roots for storage over the winter. Once the leaves are brown and crispy, usually after the first frost, you may then cut my stems back to just an inch or two above the ground. This neatens your garden bed and helps prevent fungal diseases from overwintering in the decaying matter.
I am now dormant underground. While I am quite cold-hardy, my resting crown and roots can be damaged by repeated freeze-thaw cycles and severely cold temperatures without a protective snow blanket. The most important thing you can do for me now is to ensure I have a good, insulating blanket of mulch—such as shredded leaves or straw—over my base. Please do not let this mulch become soggy and compacted, as this could lead to rot. Otherwise, leave me to my peaceful slumber. I am gathering my strength beneath the soil, already preparing for my grand spring revival.
