Bountiful Gardens
Burnet
Sanguisorbia
The Garden Acrobat: Dancing Spires with Sanguisorba
The Snapshot
Common Name: Burnet, Great Burnet, Bottlebrush Plant
Scientific Name: Sanguisorba spp.
Origin: Native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Asia, North America)
Hardiness: Zones 4 – 8
The "Vibe": Whimsical, airy, and rhythmic; the "see-through" plant of the perennial world.
Why We Love It
Sanguisorba is a favorite of modern "naturalistic" designers (like Piet Oudolf).
The "Drumstick" Aesthetic: The flowers aren't typical petals; they are dense, fuzzy oblongs or spheres that look like colorful "bottlebrushes" or "thimbles."
The See-Through Quality: Because the flower heads sit on top of very tall, slender, and nearly leafless stems, they don't block the view. You can see right through them to the plants behind, creating a "layered" look.
The Foliage: Even before it blooms, the foliage is gorgeous—neatly serrated, blue-green leaves that form a tidy, fern-like mound at the base.
Ecosystem & Wildlife Impact
Pollinator Magnet: The fuzzy flower heads are absolutely packed with tiny florets that are a primary nectar source for Honeybees, native bees, and Hoverflies.
Specialist Host: Sanguisorba officinalis is the exclusive host plant for the Scarce Large Blue Butterfly in Europe.
Butterfly Fuel: Attracts a wide variety of late-summer butterflies looking for a stable "landing pad."
Designer Tips: Where to Plant
The "Matrix" Planting: Intermingle Sanguisorba with Ornamental Grasses. The dark maroon or white "thimbles" look like they are floating in a sea of grass.
The Pond Edge: Because they love moisture, they are perfect for the edges of water features or rain gardens.
Front-of-Border Surprise: Even the tall varieties can be planted near the front of a border because they are so "airy" that they won't hide the plants behind them.
Designer Pro-Tip: Sanguisorba stems are surprisingly strong, but the very tall varieties can lean if they are in too much shade or are hit by heavy rain. If you want to keep them perfectly upright without staking, plant them in a "crowded" border where other plants (like tall Asters or Joe Pye Weed) can provide a bit of physical support.
Stories from the Garden
"I planted Canadian Burnet (S. canadensis) in a low spot of my yard that stays wet after it rains. It’s now five feet tall and looks like a wall of white sparks in September. The way the flower heads bob in the breeze makes the whole garden feel alive."
— Leo V., Zone 5 Gardener
A Growing Story: The Cucumber Surprise
A customer once bought "Salad Burnet" thinking it was a flowering perennial. While she was disappointed by the small flowers, she was delighted when we told her to taste a leaf. Now she uses it in her gin and tonics every summer!