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Herbaceous Perennial

Pimpinella saxifraga

burnet saxifrage

A hardy perennial that grows to a height of between 40 and 60cm in height with a spread of around 30cm. It has finely divided, feathery leaves and slender, grooved stems. From June to September, it produces small, airy, white flowers in delicate clusters

Other common names

bennet
pimpinel
see moregwreiddiriog

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

1–2 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Apiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Pimpinella can be annuals, biennials or herbaceous perennials with simple or pinnately divided leaves and branched umbels of tiny flowers
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Europe, N Africa, SW Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in a sunny position in fertile, moist but well-drained loamy soil. See Creating wildflower meadows for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seeds outdoors

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

For more information see our page on cutting back herbaceous perennials

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails and mice

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and downy mildews

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