I know I live in America, but has anyone reminded Indiana that this is not the arctic??  It is currently 6 degrees Fahrenheit outside and I am cooped up inside, much to my distaste, so I figure what a perfect time to look up and write about spring flowers!  This week I am writing about a wildflower that grows readily in your garden and looks simply splendid in a wooded setting.  The bloodroot with its simple white flower is a gentle reminder of warmer times yet to come.

Bloodroot gets its name from its red sap that resembles blood.  It is best to wear gloves when handling bloodroot, as its sap can irritate or stain skin.  Though today it is known that all parts of the plant are poisonous, medical usage was prevalent in the past.  Today there are ongoing tests being done to research the plants possible benefits towards curing skin cancer.

Growing bloodroot is a simple task, try to replicate its natural wooded environment by planting it in moist, shaded spots in your yard.  If growing in a location it likes it will colonize and provide you with many years of early spring blooms!  You can spread bloodroot on your own as well by collecting its seeds and planting them in groups around your yard.  This will need to be done in the spring when the seeds are still fresh and once planted they will bloom the following season.

Stay warm and thanks for reading!