Melinda Myers

Bloodroot

Botanical Name

Sanguinaria canadensis

Min Zone

3

Max Zone

8

Height

6 to 12 inches

Flowers

Early spring: white and more rarely light pink, up to 2 inches, flowers open in sun and close at night

Fruit

Elongated seed pods enclosing reddish seeds

Light

Part to full shade

Soil

Moist, well-drained, organically rich

Planting & Care

• Plant in early fall to give the roots time to establish before winter
• Plant grows in clumps, but slowly spreads to form large colonies
• Bloodroot goes dormant and disappears by midsummer
• Plant gets its name from the bright reddish-orange sap that exudes from all parts of the plant when cut
• Gloves should be worn when hadling plant since the sap can cause skin irritation
• Drought and juglone tolerant

Varieties

• Muliplex - double flowered variety