Sanguisorba officinalis

Search PlantFinder Names

Sanguisorba officinalis

(1 ratings) --- Rate this plant / Read comments

Kemper Code: M300

Common Name: greater burnet
Zone: 4 to 8
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Rosaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: Western Europe, Mongolia, Japan, China, North America
Height: 2.5 to 3 feet
Spread: 2 to 3 feet
Bloom Time: May - June Bloom Data
Bloom Color: Dark red to black purple
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low

Plant Culture and Characteristics

Sources for this plant

View our source(s)

Uses:		Wildlife:	Flowers:	Leaves:	Fruit:
Hedge	Suitable as annual	Attracts birds	Has showy flowers	Leaves colorful	Has showy fruit
Shade tree	Culinary herb	Attracts	Has fragrant flowers	Leaves fragrant	Fruit edible
Street tree	Vegetable	hummingbirds	Flowers not showy	Good fall color	Other:
Flowering tree	Water garden plant	Attracts	Good cut flower	Evergreen	Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1')	Will naturalize	butterflies	Good dried flower		Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Freely self-seeds. Prompt removal of spent flowers will prevent unwanted self-seeding.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Great burnet is a clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial which typically grows to 3' tall. Features compound odd-pinnate, medium green, basal leaves (7-25 serrate leaflets each) and small terminal spikes (to 1.5" long) of dark purple flowers in summer. Stems are sometimes tinged with red. Has ornamental value, but is often grown as a culinary herb: leaves (especially younger ones) are excellent in salads and soups.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Taller plants may need staking or other support.

Uses:

Borders, herb or vegetable gardens.