Sanguisorba obtusa

About this cultivar:

Sanguisorba obtusa is described by Val Bourne as “a glaucous-leaved Japanese species that arrived in 1860, has the finest foliage of all. Each round grey-green leaf has an attractive matt bloom, enhanced by a finely edged rim of deep pink. The fluffy, rather squat flowers on this 4ft high plant are a strong rose pink and they bend over slightly as they mature. Flowering begins in July and continues until late August.” Well said Val. Although I'd add that ours flowers much longer and doesn't grow much higher than 3 or 3.5 feet. Probably depends on sunlight and how packed the plant is.

Looks great in Autumn too...

• Position: Full sun, partial shade
• Soil: Almost any soil, grows well in Ballyrobert
• Flowers: June, July, August, September
• Other features: --
• Hardiness: Fully hardy, grows well in Ballyrobert
• Habit: Clump forming
• Foliage: Deciduous
• Height: 75 - 105 cm (2.5 - 3.5 ft) 
• Spread: 30 - 60 cm (1 - 2 ft)
• Time to full growth: 2 to 5 years
• Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial
• Colour: Green, red
• Goes well with: --

About this genus:

Sanguisorba is a genus of flowering plants in the rose family (Rosaceae) native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The common name is burnet.

A profusion of dense and oblong, catkin-like blooms sway above decorative pinnate foliage, generating interest for months - the seed heads look great for months after they die and dry out. Happiest in a sunny to part-shade spot where the soil stays moist, put them where the catch the morning or evening sun for best effect