I had taken some pictures of the lovely white bleeding hearts when I visited the Okotoks Museum and Archives a couple of weeks ago. I was reminded of when I was a child and visited my aunt's house. Her garden was a beautiful display of flowers and plants and one of the flowers I remember most was the bleeding heart, and the story she would tell me. So, I was inspired to retell this childhood story to you after visiting the lovely gardens and yards on the Big Rock Garden Tour.

The Tragic Tale of The Bleeding Heart

Long ago there lived a prince who tried to win the heart of a very beautiful princess. The prince had brought the princess wonderful gifts from his travels far and wide to no avail.

One day the prince returned from a long journey with very special gifts he was sure would win the love of the princess.

He first presented her with two magical bunnies.

The princess rejected this gift and rejected the prince.

The prince then presented her with a pair of beautiful enchanted earrings.

Again, the princess rejected the prince’s gift.

The prince then gave her a pair of perfect slippers made from the softest material in all the kingdom.

The princess still rejected the prince and rejected his gift.

Now the prince was utterly heartbroken. He could try no more to win the heart of the princess. He took his dagger and stabbed himself in the heart.

The princess was overcome by the dedication of the dying prince and his unending love for her. She realized too late that she loved him also. “Alas,” she cried out. “I have done wrong, my own heart is broken also and will bleed for my prince forever more!” The first Bleeding Heart plant sprung from the place where he died, and is colored pink from the princess's heart that bleeds to this very day.

Ah, sadly as with many tales this one too ends in tragedy.

So next time you see a Bleeding Heart in bloom, ask permission to pick a heart and retell this story.

I would normally use the pink flower for this story, but was drawn to the beauty of the white one this particular day.

~ Tracy