Herbs in the Landscape
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Bloodroot, despite its ominous name, is a beautiful herb that emerges from the cold spring ground with a deeply lobed leaf clasping a green stem from which a beautiful bright white flower rises above. Its brilliant white, sometimes tinged with pink, flowers emerge early in Marc0h and April before many other flowers. As they fade, the lovely leaves unfold to create groundcover interest.
This herbaceous perennial is native to eastern and central United States in USDA zones 3-8. In the wild, it will form large colonies. It grows as a groundcover to about 6-10 inches in height and about 6-9 inches wide. In the spring, one deeply scalloped, gray-green leaf wraps around the flower stalk. As the flower blooms, the leaf unfurls to display beautifully lobed foliage. Each stalk produces one showy flower that is about two inches wide, with 8-12 petals and many yellow stamens in the center. The flowers open during the day and close at night. They last only about one or two days. The attractive leaves will continue to grow and can reach almost nine inches in width. The foliage remains attractive until mid to late summer at which time the plant goes dormant. The root is a thick rhizome that is known for its reddish-orange color.
Bloodroot grows best in shade or partial shade. It thrives in soil that is rich in humus and is well-drained. Bloodroot has very few insect or disease problems. It can tolerate dry soil and walnut trees in proximity. All parts of the plant exude a bright reddish-orange sap when cut, hence the common name and genus name (from the Latin word sanguis meaning blood). The sap was once used by Native Americans for dyes and medicinal purposes. The rootstock, however, is caustic and poisonous if ingested. Although bloodroot was traditionally used medicinally for its antiseptic and other properties, internal use is no longer recommended. Bloodroot is currently being studied for use as an anti-cancer agent and to dissolve skin growths.
Bloodroot is an excellent groundcover to naturalize areas in the home landscape. It grows well in shaded areas of woodland, wildflower, native, or rock gardens with other natives such as wild ginger and wild geranium. It may be found in some herb gardens for its historic medicinal properties.
