Sanguinaria canadenses, that's quite a mouthful for this small, elegant perennial. The nickname is a bit easier although not very attractive, Double Bloodroot.A number of years ago a gardening friend offered me a piece of double bloodroot. I turned him down. I didn't even know what it was but I wasn't interested in the name. A year later he gave me a piece and told me to just put it in my new shade garden.
The next year this amazing thing bloomed in my garden. It was the most ethereal white bloom, very fleeting, only open for a few days. The good news though was that the foliage was exquisite too so it really added so much to the shade garden.As the years went by I couldn't understand how he had so much to share with me since my little piece of double bloodroot increased at a snail's pace. A few years ago I finally learned that there is a vast difference between dry, unammended shade and moist, rich, compost filled shade. I crossed my fingers and moved a tiny piece of the double bloodroot.
The first photo was taken last year. The second photo was taken this morning. The flowers only open when the sun is out so that won't happen for a few more hours. I think you can see what has me all excited, my double bloodroot has doubled!
Just in case you are wondering what the foliage looks like, it's the leaf in the top right corner of this slide. Underneath it is a dwarf Epimedium, top left is a small golden Hosta and bottom left is Asarum euoropaeum (European Ginger).The Ginger has done a nice job in several spots in my garden and I'll be potting up a few of those later this afternoon. As for the Double bloodroot, well, I'm a bit greedy and think I will wait one more year before putting any in a pot. What I might do is dig out a piece or two and move them to another prime semi-shade location so I can have even more double bloodroot.
We're expecting a prime gardening day today so I need to get up, get ready and get out!
5 comments:
Bloodroot is a staple in my spring garden, too, Melanie! (Single, not double, though.) People who can but don't grow it are really missing out! Thanks for sharing the gorgeous photos.
Well done with the bloodroot. Just shows how good soil makes all the difference. Liked the foliage shot showing how pretty the leaves are contrasted with other shade-lovers.
What a lovely plant, I wish you were one of my neighbours I'd certainly cadge a bit off you.
The Double Bloodroot is Sanguinaria canadensis 'Multiplex'. Not too creative a name for such a beautiful flower. The single flowered one is just Sanguinaria canadensis.
I've been meaning to write to you about a funny thing. My doctor's new receptionist is named Callie. I had to tell her the other day that every time I see her name tag I think of your dog who up until now was the only one I knew named Callie. Luckily she has a good sense of humor.
Jane
Hi Melanie, yes, that pretty flower does not match it's name..lol. I'm on the lookout for a small white flower ground cover, too. Please drop by my blog when you have a minute..there's a little some'n for you :)
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