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Sanguisorba officinalis (Great Burnet)

Great Burnet, Greater Burnet, Greater Salad Burnet, Burnet Bloodwort

Sanguisorba officinalis, Great Burnet, Greater Burnet, Greater Salad Burnet, Burnet Bloodwort, Pink Flowers, Red Flowers
Sanguisorba officinalis, Great Burnet, Greater Burnet, Greater Salad Burnet, Burnet Bloodwort, Pink Flowers, Red Flowers
Sanguisorba officinalis, Great Burnet, Greater Burnet, Greater Salad Burnet, Burnet Bloodwort, Pink Flowers, Red Flowers

Sanguisorba officinalis (Great Burnet) is a clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial with pinnate, medium green, basal leaves, each with 7-25 serrate leaflets. Deep red bottlebrush flowers appear atop long stems from midsummer through fall. They weave through other perennials, adding color and life to the late summer garden. Great Burnet is an ornamental plant that fits well in meadow gardens and naturalistic plantings, as well as herb gardens, where its young leaves may be harvested for soups, salads and sandwiches. Site it carefully as it is an overenthusiastic reseeder.

  • Grows up to 30-36 in. high (75-90 cm) and 24-36 in. across (60-90 cm). May require staking.
  • Performs best in full sun in moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils that do not dry out. Give it afternoon shade in hot summer climates.
  • Makes a lovely accent in beds and borders, prairie plantings or wildlife gardens.
  • Virtually pest and disease free. Deer resistant.
  • Freely self-seeds. Prompt removal of spent flowers will prevent unwanted self-seeding.
  • Propagate by seed in pots in a cold frame in spring or autumn. Propagate by division in spring or autumn.
  • Native to Asia, Europe, and North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 3 - 8
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Sanguisorba
Common names Burnet
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36" (60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United Kingdom, California, United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Maine, Midwest, Minnesota, Nebraska, Michigan, Washington, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Alaska
Tolerance Deer
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Sanguisorba officinalis ‘Pink Tanna’ (Great Burnet)
Sanguisorba officinalis ‘Red Thunder’ (Great Burnet)
Sanguisorba menziesii (Menzies’ Burnet)
Sanguisorba minor (Salad Burnet)
Sanguisorba officinalis ‘Tanna’ (Great Burnet)
Sanguisorba hakusanensis (Korean Burnet)

Recommended Companion Plants

Echinops ritro ‘Veitch’s Blue’ (Globe Thistle)
Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’ (Coneflower)
Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Album’ (Culver’s Root)
Rudbeckia fulgida (Black-Eyed Susan)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 3 - 8
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Sanguisorba
Common names Burnet
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36" (60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United Kingdom, California, United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Maine, Midwest, Minnesota, Nebraska, Michigan, Washington, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Alaska
Tolerance Deer
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Sanguisorba (Burnet)
Not sure which Sanguisorba (Burnet) to pick?
Compare Now

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