Bloody Butcher Corn Seeds (Zea mays) Historic heirloom dent corn with deep red kernels, ideal for cornmeal, flour production, and ornamental displays

Minimum: 20+ Seeds

Bloody Butcher Corn is one of the most striking and historically significant heirloom corn varieties still grown today. Dating back to the early 1800s in the Appalachian region of the United States, this legendary dent corn is known for its dramatic deep red to burgundy kernels and exceptional performance for cornmeal and flour. Revered by homesteaders, millers, seed savers, and heritage gardeners, Bloody Butcher Corn connects modern growers to America’s agricultural past while delivering outstanding yields and versatility.

🌽 Plant Overview

Bloody Butcher is a tall, vigorous dent corn variety that commonly reaches 10–12 feet in height under favorable conditions. Plants produce large ears packed with richly pigmented kernels that deepen in color as they mature and dry. The intense red coloration is caused by high anthocyanin content, giving this corn both its distinctive appearance and ornamental appeal. As a true open-pollinated heirloom, Bloody Butcher breeds true and is ideal for seed saving.

🌾 Culinary & Milling Uses

This variety is especially prized for dry corn uses, where its flavor and texture truly shine:

• Stone-ground cornmeal with rich color and robust flavor

• Heirloom corn flour for breads, muffins, and pancakes

• Grits and polenta with deep, earthy notes

• Traditional hominy and nixtamalized corn products

• Decorative dried ears for autumn displays and wreaths

Bloody Butcher is not intended for sweet corn harvest but excels once fully mature and dried, making it a staple crop for home mills and small-scale grain production.

🌿 Nutritional & Traditional Value

Historically grown as both a food and feed corn, Bloody Butcher provided sustenance for generations of Appalachian farmers. The red pigments indicate the presence of beneficial antioxidants, while the dense kernel structure delivers excellent starch content for milling. Its resilience and productivity made it a reliable crop before modern hybrids became widespread.

🌻 Garden, Farm & Ornamental Value

Beyond its culinary uses, Bloody Butcher Corn is highly ornamental. The towering stalks and deep crimson ears make a dramatic statement in gardens, food forests, and educational plots. It is also well-suited for:

• Living privacy screens and windbreaks

• Heritage demonstration gardens

• Fall harvest décor and displays

• Seed-saving and preservation projects

🌞 Growing Instructions

• Botanical Name: Zea mays

• Plant Type: Warm-season annual grain corn

• Light: Full sun

• Soil: Fertile, well-draining soil with high organic matter

• Water: Moderate to high during active growth

• Sowing: Direct sow after last frost when soil is warm

• Spacing: 8–12 inches apart in blocks for proper pollination

• Days to Maturity: 100–120 days

For best pollination and ear fill, plant in blocks rather than single rows. Allow ears to fully dry on the stalk before harvest for optimal kernel hardness and milling quality.

🌍 Why Choose Bloody Butcher Corn?

✔ Rare historic American heirloom
✔ Exceptional for cornmeal and flour production
✔ Deep red kernels with high visual appeal
✔ Open-pollinated and seed-saving friendly
✔ Excellent for homesteads, mills, and heritage farms

Bloody Butcher Corn Seeds are perfect for growers seeking a meaningful, productive crop that combines history, beauty, and function — a true living artifact of traditional agriculture.