Species greater burnet

greater burnet

Sanguisorba officinalis

The greater burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) is a deciduous flowering plant native to Europe and Asia. It is a short-lived perennial, growing up to 2 feet tall with reddish-purple bell-shaped flowers from early to late summer. The stems are lined with dark-green pinnate leaves which are divided into lobed leaflets. The species is often found in well-drained grasslands and meadows, and its flowers attract a variety of insects, making it a valuable addition to any garden. It is tolerant of both dry and wet soils, and can require little care, making it ideal for even the most amateur of gardeners.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Dark red to black purple Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Fruits:

brown,black Fruits Ready In Fall

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

bronze,green,red,purple

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Greater burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) should be watered when the soil starts to dry out. To reduce the risk of root rot, it’s important not to overwater this plant. The best way to determine when to water is to check the soil for dryness – when it’s dry 1-2 inches down, it’s time to water. The amount of water varies depending on the soil type and weather conditions, but generally it should be watered until the soil is evenly moist and water is freely draining from the base of the container. If growing in the ground, water deeply and allow the soil to dry out before watering again.

sunlight

Greater burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) plants thrive on plenty of sunlight. They prefer full sun to partial shade, with around 4 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. They are able to tolerate some afternoon shade, but for the best growth and flowering, full sun is best. Specifically, these plants will grow best if they are exposed to full sunlight in the morning and partial shade (or dappled sunlight) in the afternoon.

pruning

Pruning for Greater Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) should take place once a year, after the plant has finished flowering. Pruning should be done lightly, removing no more than 1-third of the stems at a time. This will result in a denser and cleaner looking plant. All dead flower heads should be removed after flowering, and thinning out congested areas is also beneficial. Pruning should be done between the months of early spring and late fall. When pruning at the end of the season, the plant’s branches should be cut back to approximately 6-8 inches above soil level.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Greater burnet typically starts flowering in June.

Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Sanguisorba officinalis typically begins in July and continues through August.

Hardiness Map