With its blood-red button flowers, the burnet is already a real eye-catcher in the wild. And the native wild plant can also set decorative accents in the garden.
The burnet (Sanguisorba) is a classic wild flower, which is why the plant is perfect for natural garden concepts and wild flower meadows. From a distance, the plant's unusual crimson heads do indeed appear like ornate buttons in the meadow green. What's more, the burnet has healing powers in addition to its high ornamental value.
Bumpkin - special features
As Flower of the Year 2022 the popularity of the burnet is unquestionable. Because of its nickname 'Pimpinelle', however, it tends to cause confusion. This is because the burnet, to which aniseed belongs to the genus, also bears the scientific name 'Pimpinella'. Especially when using Sanguisorba as a medicinal herb, it is important to ensure that you are really holding the right herb in your hands.
Bumpkin - Use
The scientific name of the wild flower already refers to the use of the burnet as a medicinal herb. Because the Latin term Sanguisorba means something like "blood sucking". And indeed, the tannins of the plant ensure that blood vessels contract after consumption, which has a haemostatic effect. The burnet is therefore very useful for treating wounds.
In natural garden concepts, Sanguisorba is often used for planting flower meadows, window boxes or wild herb gardens. Because the plant's button flowers are also popular with bees and bumblebees, it also fits well in a beneficial pasture. The burnet can also be used as a cut flower.
Two of the most popular burnet species are:
- Lesser burnet (Sanguisorba minor)
- Large burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis)
Bumpkin - the right location
As far as location is concerned, the burnet is relatively uncomplicated. Thanks to an excellent winter hardiness down to -35 °C, Sanguisorba can be easily inIntegrate perennial planting concepts. The plant tolerates both sunny and partially shady locations and does well even with slightly moist soil. What's more, Sanguisorba prefers fresh, moist soils, while prolonged drought should be avoided.
The suitable substrate for the burnet is nutrient-rich, well drained and gritty-loamy. Since the wildflower appreciates a slight lime content in the soil, it can easily be watered with lime-containing water after planting.
Sowing burnet - step by step
Choose a sowing date for your burnet in spring between March and May when there are no more late frosts. Then sow as follows:
- Loosen soil
- Bring in basic fertilizer from humus
- do not forget gravel drainage for pot culture
- Place seeds at a depth of 1 cm (light germinates!)
- cover with soil afterwards
- Keep seed evenly moist
- Prick out young plants after germination
- Planting distance: 20 cm
Water burnet
Sanguisorba copes much better with soil moisture than with dry soil. The wildflower should therefore be watered regularly, especially in summer and during prolonged dry periods.
Fertilize burnet
A one-time fertilization in the spring is completely sufficient for the burnet. It is best to use organic fertilizers - such as compost or fertilizer pellets - so that the healing flowers can be used as medicinal plants without hesitation.
Cutting burnet
Actually, Sanguisorba does not require regular pruning. However, if you want to prevent self-sowing, you can cut off the withered inflorescences after the flowering period in May. The seeds collected in this way can later be used for the controlled propagation of the plant.
Propagate burnet
The propagation of the burnet is done either by re-sowing or root division. Root division is possible from spring to autumn. To do this, dig out the burnet and divide the rhizome in half with a sharp knife. Both sections can then be transplanted again immediately.
Diseases and Pests
Apart from snails, which occasionally attack the burnet's leaves, the plant is relatively resistant to damage. If a snail infestation occurs, a snail fence is a reliable remedy.