Sanguisorba officinalis 'Red Thunder'

RHS Plant Profile
great burnet 'Red Thunder'

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Sanguisorba officinalis 'Red Thunder'?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
great burnet 'Red Thunder' RHS

Synonyms

Sanguisorba 'Red Thunder'

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
Thank you - your purchase supports our charity work Buy this from RHS Plants Shop
Buy online from £12.99Buy this from Plant Nurseries
19 Suppliers

A clump-forming perennial, to 1.2m tall, with finely-divided leaves forming a mass of feathery foliage. From early summer to early autumn, maroon-red flowerheads are held above the foliage on slender, branching, upright stems

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
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil that does not dry out; best in full sun or partial shade. Usually needs support (see staking perennials) and the rhizomes can spread so site with care

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free