Great Burnet
Sanguisorba officinalis
Also listed as Sanguisorba microcephala, Poterium officinale
Also known as Official Burnet, Burnet Bloodwort
Climate Match for your location
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A tall perennial with distinctive dark red or burgundy bottlebrush-like flower spikes that bloom mid- to late summer. It thrives in moist conditions and is valued by pollinators and for cut flowers.
Why grow it
Great burnet produces distinctive burgundy flower spikes that persist longer into late summer than many other meadow perennials, making it useful for extending seasonal interest in moist-site plantings. Unlike some ornamental burnet varieties bred primarily for foliage, this species is equally valued by native pollinators and performs reliably in both garden and semi-wild settings. It tolerates the poorly drained conditions that exclude many alternatives and requires minimal intervention once established in appropriate moisture zones.
Watch out for
Great burnet prefers consistently moist soil and may struggle in drought conditions without supplemental watering. While adaptable to part shade, it produces the most robust flowering in full sun to part sun locations. Division every few years helps maintain vigor and prevents overcrowding in established plantings.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Europe and temperate Asia
Native to: Alaska, California, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A tall perennial with distinctive dark red or burgundy bottlebrush-like flower spikes that bloom mid- to late summer. It thrives in moist conditions and is valued by pollinators and for cut flowers.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Great Burnet grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Great burnet produces distinctive burgundy flower spikes that persist longer into late summer than many other meadow perennials, making it useful for extending seasonal interest in moist-site plantings. Unlike some ornamental burnet varieties bred primarily for foliage, this species is equally valued by native pollinators and performs reliably in both garden and semi-wild settings. It tolerates the poorly drained conditions that exclude many alternatives and requires minimal intervention once established in appropriate moisture zones.
Watch out for
Great burnet prefers consistently moist soil and may struggle in drought conditions without supplemental watering. While adaptable to part shade, it produces the most robust flowering in full sun to part sun locations. Division every few years helps maintain vigor and prevents overcrowding in established plantings.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Europe and temperate Asia
Native to: Alaska, California, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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