Natural Meadow Flora Suitable for Wild Planting Designs: A Guide to Cultivating Sanguisorba
Sanguisorba, a group of hardy herbaceous perennials belonging to the Rosaceae family, are a delight for any UK garden. These plants are known for their distinctive flower spikes and foliage, and they generally have specific yet adaptable growth requirements.
Sanguisorba plants grow best in well-draining soil with ample sunlight. They can tolerate a range of soil types, from fertile garden soil to drier, less fertile conditions. For example, Sanguisorba minor (salad burnet) thrives in well-draining soil and is hardy and robust. Some subspecies or related plants like Sanguisorba tuberosa ssp. interior tolerate heavier clay soils and dry infertile soils.
They need ample light and warmth. Salad burnet requires good sunlight to thrive, especially for optimal leaf harvesting in late summer. Most species bloom in summer, suggesting full sun to partial sun exposure is suitable.
Sanguisorba are suited for mixed borders and perennial gardens where their airy, umbels of flowers provide delicate texture and attract beneficial insects. For instance, Sanguisorba incarnata is described as a sturdy border plant with pale pink flowers that attract pollinators. Their clumping habit and moderate size (ranging generally from 3 to 4.5 feet tall) make them good for inclusion in herbaceous borders or naturalistic plantings.
Some popular Sanguisorba cultivars include Sanguisorba 'Purpurea' with smoky-pink, upright elongated burrs, Sanguisorba 'Autumn Red' with dark-red burrs that continue to flower until November, and Sanguisorba 'Ivory Towers' with showy, nodding white catkins with black stamens.
Different hybrids of sanguisorba flower throughout the season from late April to November, with many of the popular garden cultivars at their best from June to September. Many sanguisorba cultivars have good autumn foliage tints.
Sanguisorba plants are ideal for UK gardens and most have a hardiness rating of RHS H7 and are suitable for gardens in USDA zones 3a to 8b. You can find and buy Sanguisorba at various nurseries such as Avondale Nursery, RHS Garden Wisley, Macplants, Marchants Hardy Plants, Phoenix Perennial Plants, Pineview Plants, The Plant Specialist, and Sussex Prairie Garden.
In summary, Sanguisorba plants grow best in well-draining soil with ample sunlight, tolerate a range of soil types including dry or clay soils depending on species, and fit well in mixed borders or naturalistic schemes where their flower spikes add texture and attract insects.
These distinctive Sanguisorba plants, thriving in UK gardens, boast a hardy resilience often found in garden design, particularly in perennials. Their ribbon-like flowers and verdant foliage contribute to the landscape, enhancing the environment and complementing other plants. The summer-blooming Sanguisorba cultivars are suitable for any lifestyle, providing an intriguing element in food-and-drink events, fashion-and-beauty gatherings, or when enjoying a quiet moment at home-and-garden. Each season offers a new palette of colors, from the soft pink hues of Sanguisorba incarnata to the stunning dark red of Sanguisorba 'Autumn Red', making them a delightful addition to any cook's garden and a charming focal point for any gardener's sight.
