Bloodroot - Sanguinaria canadensis

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Woodlanders

I'm very interested in the various forms of bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis. I don't have much in the way of bloodroot in my garden, but I hope to remedy this situation. A couple years ago I went in "halfsies" (slang for splitting the cost) with a friend for a great pot full of Sanguinaria canadensis 'Multiplex'.

The distribution of this plant is quite succinctly eastern half of North America:
http://www.efloras.org/object_page.aspx?object_id=5418&flora_id=1

They're coming up now, and I'm fascinated by the early leaf-bud form, looking like little people wrapped in shalls, the enveloping leaves membranous and with raised veins, I also get the impression of bat wings wrapped tight around their resting bodies. I hadn't noticed before, but the buds are initially tinged with pink. I am showing 4 views, taken in two different light conditions.

If others have photos of the other flower forms, please post them here, things like the "Tennessee Form".

Comments

Richard T. Rodich's picture

Richard T. Rodich

Fri, 05/17/2013 - 6:44pm

I don't feed either.  But the soil is rather rich, and the leaf mulch is constantly breaking down. 

I do find that Multiplex seems to benefit from division every 4-5 years. 

By the way, when you have a sterile clone like this one, the daily opening and closing repeats for many more days.

Mark McDonough's picture

Mark McDonough

Fri, 05/17/2013 - 6:58pm

Rick, you bring up an important point, division and replant is often a key factor in the health of some plants, as old mature clumps can die out, perhaps natural for it to do so.  I had a magnificent clump of Trillium grandiflorum 'Multiplex', with over flowering 30 stems, but in the last couple years it hasn't been looking so good, and not flowering well.  This year, just two flowers, some buds aborted. Growing at the base of an expanding Magnolia tree, I was convinced by a friend it was time to dig it up and replant, and so I did.  It was tough finding the pocket of soil through some huge branch-like roots, but I did extract it, gave some clumps to my friend (she gave it to me in the first place), then separated out about 25 pieces and replanted; they've already perked up.  Must do the same on many more plant this year.

tropicalgirl251@gmail.com's picture

tropicalgirl251... (not verified)

Fri, 05/17/2013 - 9:04pm

Hi Rick
very nice flowers.mine bioomed twodays ago only 3 flowers but even before taking the pictures the two  are gone.But i like the leaves also.

Trond Hoy's picture

Trond Hoy

Sun, 05/19/2013 - 12:35am

I am aware of the necessity to divide and replant but mine haven't been there for more than 3 years. But I haven't mulched them either also I usually mulch other plants. Have to mend that!

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