Sanguisorba tenuifolia 'Atropurpurea'

RHS Plant Profile
slender-leaved burnet 'Atropurpurea'

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Herbaceous Perennial

A compact, clump-forming herbaceous perennial with dark green, fern-like foliage and tall, slender stems forming a dense mass of bottlebrush dark-red flower 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
East–facing or 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)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
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
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Will grow well in moderatelly fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Might require support to avoid collapsing. See staking perennials

Propagation

Propagate by seed or division in spring and autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Prairie planting
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back in autumn or leave seedhead structure for winter interest

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free