Sanguisorba officinalis

RHS Plant Profile
great burnet

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great burnet RHS 2002
great burnet visionspictures.com

Other common names

burnet bloodwort, greater burnet, greater salad burnet

Synonyms

Poterium officinale
Sanguisorba montana

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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A compact clump of pinnate leaves with rounded or oblong leaflets, and maroon flowers in dense, rounded or oval spikes in summer and early autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed
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)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Sanguisorba are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with attractive, pinnate leaves and branched stems bearing terminal spikes of small fluffy flowers with conspicuous stamens
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
North Temperate reg

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil that does not dry out; best in full sun or partial shade. Usually needs support. The rhizomes can spread readily and have the potential to become a nuisance, so site with care

Propagation

Propagate by seed in pots in a cold frame in spring or autumn. Propagate by division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Prairie planting
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free