Blood Root

Though named for the bright red-orange color of the sap in its roots (often used as a dye), each of the Blood Root's flowers is a charming collection of 8-10 white petals with buttery-yellow center stamens. Each flower head features only one palmate, deeply-scalloped basal leaf in a dusty shade of green. These are relatively short-lived flowers, opening in the day and closing at night for only a few days. As long as they live in the shady areas of rock gardens or woodlawn beds in humusy, well-drained soil, they'll hold up to periodic droughts. At full height, they'll only grow up to 12". Sanguinaria canadensis