Sanguisorba (Burnet)
at Digging Dog

Including Sanguisorba menziesii and Sanguisorba officinalis

Sanguisorba

Burnet

A profusion of dense and oblong, catkin-like blooms sway above decorative pinnate foliage, generating interest for months. Happiest in a sunny spot where the soil stays moist, these vigorous perennials offer contrasting clarity to the softer, less defined forms in the naturalized garden.

Sanguisorba hakusanensis    

Lilac Squirrel

Casting a fanciful feminine style all summer long, this gorgeous aptly named Japanese perennial premiers bushy purplish pink tails that gracefully arch downward on upright stems. A clumping base sprouts gray-green scalloped leaves, which showcase intriguing origami-like patterns as they unfurl and promise a long lasting well-groomed appearance.

Blooms July – August

Size: 18"–2' high x 15" wide; hardy to zone 4.

Sanguisorba hakusanensis (P-1715)
Each $7.25
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Sanguisorba menziesii    

An assemblage of refined, blue-gray, feathery foliage gives way to slender, branching stems and tightly arranged, finger-length blooms in vivid, dark red shades. Earlier to flower than other Sanguisorbas, this enticing perennial cavorts with Penstemon ‘Raven’ and Achillea ‘Sawa Sawa’ in our border.

Blooms May–July.

Size: 2-3/4' high x 16"–18" wide; hardy to zone 4.

Sanguisorba menziesii (p-1148)
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Sanguisorba obtusa    

Residing on wiry arching stems, soft pink fingerlike spikes look fluffy and feminine. They nod lazy heads at the handsome bushy mass of tranquil blue-green leaves marked by indented margins that grows below.

Blooms July–September.

Size: 2-1/2' high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 4.

Sanguisorba obtusa (P-1400)
Each $8.00
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Sanguisorba officinalis    

Great Burnet

Embodied with astringent properties, the Great Burnet’s handsome foliage can soothe not only inflamed skin but your senses as well.

The vigorous, rounded clumps present an airy, cool green arrangement of deeply cut toothed basal leaves that convey a relaxed feel to the landscape. Come summer, the mood changes when thin, tall branching stems lift tightly set, blood red bottlebrushes. Creating quite a fervor, especially when grown en masse, the alluring color and shape of the flowers dramatically counter-pose Seseli gummiferum’s white umbels.

Blooms July–October.

Size: 3'–4' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4.

Sanguisorba officinalis (p-1158)
Each $7.25
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Sanguisorba officinalis ‘Red Thunder’  

Derived from a Korean collection of Sanguisorba officinalis, this high-fashion Sanguisorba was selected by Dutch plantsman Piet Oudolf for its deep ruby-red bobbles, perched on tall stiffer stems. Whether in the border or a meadow planting, a bouquet or frost-covered in the garden’s winter light, their distinctive silhouette inspires as much drama as a gathering thunderhead. A bluish green bed of pinnate foliage with toothed leaflets launches the strong floral display that can be superimposed against lofty silvery plumed Miscanthus, whorled Veronicastrum blooms and Helianthus ‘Capenoch Star’.

Blooms July – October.

Size: 3'–4' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4.

Sanguisorba officinalis ‘Red Thunder’ (P-1542)
Each $7.75
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Sanguisorba officinalis ‘Tanna’    

Well suited for the smaller scale garden, ‘Tanna’s mound of ferny leaf fronds makes an elegant host to the cylindrical, burgundy flower spires that playfully top foot-long stems. Cultivated since the Middle Ages, the cucumber-flavored foliage has been a welcome addition in the salad bowl.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 18" high x 12" wide; hardy to zone 4.

Sanguisorba officinalis ‘Tanna’ (P-0864)
Each $7.00
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Sanguisorba tenuifolia ‘Alba’    

A textural delight of saw-toothed, finely divided leaves, ‘Alba’s clump-forming mound lays the foundation for slim, fluffy white, drooping blooms. These elegant cylindrical flowers, abundantly borne on tall branching stems well above the vigorous greenery, look like luminous catkins caught in a rain shower.

Blooms September – October.

Size: 4'–5' high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 4.

Sanguisorba tenuifolia ‘Alba’ (p-1465)
Each $7.25
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