Hearts of Spring

Hearts of Spring © 2010 Bo Mackison

Hearts of Spring © 2010 Bo Mackison

My grandmother’s garden had a bleeding hearts plant. I was fond of the tiny pink hearts that would bloom in April and May, all bunched together on branches. I always wanted to pick the branches of bleeding hearts to put in a jar in the house, but that wasn’t allowed. I can see why now. There is something quite magnificent about a little bush covered with rows upon rows of tiny fragile heart flowers.

These bleeding hearts are not from my grandmother’s garden. They were photographed at the Allen Centennial Gardens in the heart of the University of Wisconsin’s urban campus. This 2.5 acre garden serves the University’s horticultural program and students, although the university and Madison communities also benefit from this garden filled with botanical wonders and lovely sitting spaces.

Bleeding Hearts and Memories

Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding Hearts

This is the very bleeding heart plant I loved as a child. Returning to my hometown to tie up loose ends this week, I made a stop at my childhood home.

Each Spring my grandmother and I would eagerly watch this plant from the back porch, awaiting the blooming of the little hearts. Today I made an unplanned visit to the old house and found the bleeding hearts blooming bravely, standing amidst all the old memories.