About

Bloodroot

Sanguinaria canadensis

Height: 5-12 inches
Light: Sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained soil
Bloom Time: March-May
Flower Color: White with yellow stamen
Foliage: Leaves grow rapidly after flowers die and persist until late summer

Bloodroot does indeed have reddish-orange roots (rhizomes) from which red juice can be extracted. This juice was once used for body paint and dye by early Native Americans. It is also currently being researched for its medicinal properties.

Although Bloodroot will grow fine in shady areas, it needs to be planted where it will receive sunlight in the early part of spring, otherwise flowering may be inhibited. Exquisite fragile blossoms are a spring treasure: velvety white petals surrounding masses of golden stamens are each subtended by distinctively shaped waxy, gray-green leaves.