The next spring flower in our series shouldn’t be misjudged for its slightly morbid name. Bloodroot is all around one of the best flowers to grow in the spring. Continue reading below to find out why!
Bloodroot plants bloom early in the spring (usually around March) and produce beautiful stark white solitary flowers. Bloodroot is a perennial that will return year after year if taken care of. The white flowers have 8-10 petals and grow from a leafless stem which helps the plant rise out of the undergrowth. Bloodroot likes shady wooded areas with some sun. They are best grown in zones 3-9.
Planting
When planting Bloodroot in home gardens we are trying to replicate the conditions of a fertile woodland floor. Therefore, we want to keep the soil moist and compost rich. Bloodroot needs shade after it’s flowered so planting it at the base of shade trees or along a west or east facing fence line is a good idea. Plant seeds a ½ deep and about 3 inches apart. When the flowers mature in the mid to late spring collect the seeds from the seedpods and save for planting the next spring. Bloodroot can also be easily propagated. Simply divide the root sections and plant them an inch deep in rich compost and a nicely shaded area.
Care
Once established Bloodroot is very easy to care for. It needs regular watering as we want to keep the soil moist for optimal growing conditions. When the flowers are happy they will colonize and you’ll have beautiful flowers for many springs to come.
Fun Facts
· Bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis) gets its name from the dark red sap which is found in the base of the stem.
· Bloodroot has been used as a medical salve since ancient times but home gardeners should be wary as it can irritation in some cases.
· Native Americans used Bloodroot extensively to make dyes and medicines.
· Bloodroot is endangered in some parts of the Americas.
Comments
Post a Comment