Great Burnet

(Sanguisorba officinalis)

Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Sanguisorba officinalis, commonly known as Great Burnet, is a deciduous perennial herb native to a variety of habitats including meadows, grasslands, and the edges of deciduous forests across North America, Europe, and Asia. It typically grows to about 1 meter tall and is characterized by its pinnate leaves and dense, oval to cylindrical flower heads that bloom from late spring to early fall. The flowers range in color from pink to dark red or purple, sometimes appearing almost black, and are highly attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Great Burnet is valued for its unique flower spikes and is often used in naturalistic plantings, borders, and as a component in meadow gardens. It is also appreciated for its low maintenance requirements and its ability to thrive in a range of soil conditions, though it prefers moist, well-drained soils. ’Tanna’ is a popular cultivar with deep red flowers, reaching a shorter stature of about 50 cm, and has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Great Burnet’s extensive root system makes it useful for erosion control. While generally disease-free, it can suffer from powdery mildew in overly humid conditions. It is not known to be invasive when grown outside its native range, but gardeners should monitor its spread as it can self-seed prolifically under ideal conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 2.5-3 feet
  • Width: 2-3 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Red
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers, Street Planting, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Meadows, grasslands, and edges of deciduous forests across North America, Europe, and Asia

Other Names

Common Names: Official Burnet, Burnet Bloodwort, Salad Burnet, Sanguisorba, Læge-Kvæsurt, Großer Wiesenknopf, Pimpinela Mayor, Punaluppio, Grande Pimprenelle, Pimprenelle Officinale

Scientific Names: , Sanguisorba officinalis, Sanguisorba officinalis var. pilosella, Sanguisorba officinalis var. globularis, Sanguisorba serpentini, Sanguisorba cernua, Sanguisorba major, Sanguisorba major subsp. officinalis, Sanguisorba officinalis var. altissima, Pimpinella officinalis

GBIF Accepted Name: Sanguisorba officinalis L.