The Squirrel Corn plant, whose botanical name is Dicentra Canadensis, is usually grown for its beautiful flowers. It is a spring ephemeral that dies back after its blooming period and is dormant during the summer, fall, and winter seasons. The perennial is native to eastern North America and grows in forests and woodlands. Besides its lovely blooms, it is known for its unique-shaped roots. At the roots’ end are yellow nodules that resemble corn on the cob.
The Stunning Bloom Of Squirrel Corn
The flowers are heart-shaped, similar to those of the bleeding heart. They are pinkish-white. The bloom is less than a half-inch wide and about an inch long. The spring-blooming plant has a considerably short blooming season. They start to bloom in April and end in May. The flowers’ stems are dark green, sometimes with a touch of brown, and point downwards. As the flowers begin to fade away, the leaves from the plant start to take center stage.
The Lovely Leaves Of The Squirrel Corn
Squirrel corn has triangular leaves that can be green with a hint of blue or gray, and the bottoms are light green. They can grow to about ten inches in length and divide multiple times, creating a lace pattern similar to that of a fern. The surface of the leaves is smooth to the touch but has a waxy texture underneath. The plants extend to almost a foot in height.
Zones Squirrel Corn Does Well In
If grown in hardiness zones 4 through 7, the plants are easy to grow and function sufficiently. They prefer shady or partially shady locations. Their soil preference is well-drained, moist, rich soil. It is important to make sure that the plants receive plenty of water during the spring when they are blooming and most active. Fertilizers can be added to the soil once a year if needed.
The Squirrel Corn plant makes a beautiful addition to any natural or woodland garden. It is the perfect plant for an ornamental garden. The plant will certainly add interest to any shade garden during the spring months. It grows slowly, making it an ideal border plant or ground cover choice. Due to its sluggish development, it will not become a nuisance plant, encroach upon other plants, or take up a lot of space. Even though it only blooms briefly, it is a beautiful focal point for any spring garden.
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