Sanguisorba minor (Salad burnet)

Botanical name

Sanguisorba minor

Other names

Salad burnet, Burnet , Garden burnet, Pimpernelle , Toper's plant, Poterium dictyocarpum , Poterium sanguisorba, Poterium sanguisorba minor , Sanguisorba pimpinella

Genus

Sanguisorba Sanguisorba

Species

S. minor - S. minor is an evergreen perennial with reddish-brown, erect stems and pinnate, toothed, green leaves. In summer it has globular, red petal-less flowerheads.

Native to

Canary Islands, Central Asia, Northern Africa, Southwestern Asia, Southwestern Europe

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming, Erect flower stem

Colour

Flower

Reddish-purple, Maroon in Summer

Foliage

Green in All seasons

How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest free

Diseases

Generally disease free

General care

Pruning

Cut back after flowering or leave seed heads for winter interest.

Propagation

Divide congested plants in spring or autumn.

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Sanguisorba minor (Salad burnet) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Add to salads, Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Prairie planting, Wildflower, Wildlife

Cultivation

Prefers a light, dry, calcareous soil but will grow in most soils. Best in full sun but tolerates partial shade. Site carefully as this plant can be invasive.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Sanguisorba minor (Salad burnet)

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Sanguisorba minor (Salad burnet)

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Sanguisorba minor (Salad burnet)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Orgyia thyellina

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous moth pest from Eastern Asia which could be damaging to broadleaf and coniferous species if introduced to the UK; as well as having human health impacts. The main pathway is likely to be on goods (including non-plant material) imported from Eastern Asia and awareness raising with the main industry sectors is recommended.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/