Great burnet
Sanguisorba officinalis · Rosaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant great burnet: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- July to September
- Adult size
- 60 to 100 cm in height
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20°C)
- Origin
- Temperate Eurasia
- Soil type
- Well-drained, fertile, fresh
Care
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist during growth, especially in dry periods. Reduce watering in winter once the plant is established. Avoid waterlogging which can promote root rot.
Light exposure
Burnet thrives in full sun or partial shade. It tolerates shaded situations but will flower less abundantly. A bright location promotes generous flowering.
Soil and preparation
Enrich the soil with compost or potting soil when planting. Well-drained but fresh soil is ideal for this meadow-dwelling plant. Avoid overly dry or compacted soils.
Pruning and cleanup
Cut back faded flower spikes to encourage new blooms and prevent self-seeding. Cut the clump back to ground level in late autumn or early spring to maintain a neat shape.
Fertilizing
An annual application of compost in spring is usually sufficient. Avoid overly rich fertilizers which promote excessive foliage at the expense of flowering. A well-established plant in fertile soil needs nothing more.
Pests and diseases
Burnet is relatively disease-resistant if drainage is correct. In prolonged wet soil, root rot may occur. Check for the absence of aphids in spring and monitor watering if problems arise.
Did you know?
The scientific name *Sanguisorba* comes from the Latin "sanguis" (blood) and "sorbere" (to absorb), because this plant was traditionally used in herbal medicine for its hemostatic properties. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, it featured in monastic medicinal gardens as a major medicinal plant.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- BrambleRubus fruticosus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.