Sanguinaria canadensis or ‘Bloodroot’

A single-species genus, Sanguinaria gets the common name ‘Bloodroot’ from the colour of the rhizome when cut — a real blood red. Best grown beneath deciduous trees where it can happily spread through the leaf litter, this plant is a bit of a tease.

The flowers are attractive, however they can be knocked around by spring rains. The foliage is a good green, however it is not long lasting. Individual flowers last for a week or less, however a plant can continue to flower over several weeks as new flowers open.

Sanguinaria is a woodland plant and looks particularly good when allowed to naturalise beneath deciduous trees and amongst other shade-loving plants. It is a spring flowering plant, emerging as the weather begins to warm before gradually disappearing again as the season progresses.

Quick Facts

• Botanical name: Sanguinaria canadensis
• Common name: Bloodroot
• Family: Papaveraceae
• Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Height: Around 15–25 cm
• Flowering: Spring
• Flowers: White, usually with yellow stamens
• Light: Part shade to shade, preferably beneath deciduous trees
• Soil: Moist but well drained, humus-rich soil
• Habit: Spreads slowly by rhizomes
• Climate: Cool temperate; USDA Zones 3–8; RHS H5
• Best position: Beneath deciduous trees and in woodland-style plantings
• Propagation: Division or seed

Note: The red sap is staining and the plant is toxic if ingested

How To Grow Sanguinaria – Basic Care

Sanguinaria prefers a moist but well-drained woodland situation. It prefers to be left undisturbed and spreads by rhizomes, gradually forming a colony when conditions are right.

See if you can find a ‘double form’. The double flowers seem to last a little longer and are particularly attractive, although they can be harder to find.

You can grow it from seed, however propagation by division when plants are dormant is much easier. Take care when handling the rhizomes, as the sap will stain your hands and can irritate the skin. The plant contains toxic compounds, so wear gloves when handling it and keep it away from children and pets.

Once established in a suitable woodland position, Sanguinaria is best simply left alone to do its thing. Give it the conditions it prefers and it can provide an attractive splash of early spring colour before the foliage retreats for the season.

Companion Plants and Where to Grow

Sanguinaria is particularly suited to growing beneath deciduous trees, where the combination of filtered spring light, summer shade and leaf litter provides much of what it needs. Allow the fallen leaves to remain around the plants rather than disturbing the soil too much.

Sanguinaria works well with other woodland plants that enjoy similar moist, humus-rich soil and filtered light. Because the foliage disappears after flowering, it is useful to grow it amongst plants that can provide interest later in the season.

Good companion plants include:

• Hellebores – their evergreen foliage provides structure while Sanguinaria is dormant.
• Trilliums – another excellent woodland companion with similar growing requirements.
• Epimediums – useful for filling the space around Sanguinaria and providing longer-lasting foliage.
• Hostas – their larger leaves make a good contrast with the delicate spring foliage of bloodroot.
• Ferns – particularly good for a natural woodland planting and provide foliage as Sanguinaria retreats.
• Cyclamen – useful amongst deciduous trees, particularly where a naturalised woodland effect is wanted.
• Brunnera – the broad foliage provides a good contrast and works well in a moist, shaded position.

When choosing companions, remember that Sanguinaria is dormant for part of the year. Avoid aggressive groundcovers that could smother the emerging plants or make it difficult for the rhizomes to spread.

Climate Zones

Sanguinaria canadensis is a plant for cool to temperate climates and is best suited to gardens that experience a cold winter followed by a cool spring. It is generally hardy in USDA Zones 3–8 and is rated H5 by the Royal Horticultural Society, making it suitable for much of the UK and northern Europe.

USA: USDA Zones 3–8

Australia: Best suited to the cooler temperate parts of southern Australia, particularly areas with reliable winter cold and mild summers. It can be difficult in warmer areas, so a cool, shaded position beneath deciduous trees is important.

Europe: Suitable for much of northern, central and cooler western Europe, particularly climates with cold winters and cool springs. The RHS rates it H5.

Although bloodroot is quite cold hardy, summer heat is a different matter. In warmer climates, choose a sheltered position with plenty of shade, good moisture and soil rich in organic matter. The plant is a spring ephemeral, so it is naturally adapted to growing and flowering during the cooler part of the year before retreating underground as summer arrives. We grow ours beneath a large Copper Beech tree, so virtually no direct summer sun at all.

Available for sale from the following nurseries

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