Rumex sanguineus Bloody Dock

Rumex sanguineus, commonly called bloody dock, bloody sorrel, bloodwort, red-veined dock and wood dock, is an herbaceous perennial grown for its ornamental foliage. The tap-rooted plant grows in a rounded tightly packed rosette of long (to 6-inch) lance-shaped medium green leaves distinctively marked with prominent red to purple veins. In late spring to early summer, a long stem of small leaves and panicles of tiny flowers grows from the rosette. The flowers are not particularly attractive and can be removed to promote a bushier plant and to prevent self-seeding.

Bloody dock is an attractive accent, bedding, and edging plant, but it's also a great container plant. It works well in moist meadows, rain gardens, water gardens and around margins of ponds and woodland gardens. It is also sometimes grown in vegetable or herb gardens for harvests of its edible young leaves.

Bloody dock grows best in a sunny to partially shady location with average, consistently moist soil. It benefits from spring fertilization. Cut back hard to rejuvenate the plant.

A native plant, Rumex sanguineus is indigenous to North America. Native plants are not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly. Naturally adapted to the climate and soil conditions of the region, they thrive without fertilizers or extra watering, once established. They also act as natural pest controls, reducing the need for pesticides in the garden. Landscaping with native plants promotes biodiversity and provides shelter and quality food for wildlife and pollinators, bringing gardens to life.