Perennial · Rosaceae family
Great Burnet
Sanguisorba officinalis
In short a 10-second read
spacing 19¾ in
Where to plant and how much to water
Sun, soil and water.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil.
Sun
Soil
Watering
Frost
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (69 in).
Plant 19¾ in apart.
Reaches maturity in about 2–5 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
Through the year.
Typical for a temperate climate (four seasons). The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
June–August · red
Planting
container plant: March–May, September–November
Feeding
March–May
Feeding
Nutrition.
Pests and diseases
Common problems and what to do.
The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.
No serious pests or diseases
Generally pest-free and disease-free (cultivar 'Tanna': slugs possible).
Sources (1)
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Edging lobelia
5⅞ in–9⅞ in
common sneezeweed
2 ft 11⅜ in–4 ft 11 in
showy stonecrop
11¾ in–1 ft 7⅝ inReady-made Studio combinations with this plant
Click a combination — the Studio opens a new raised garden bed with it already planted.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does Great Burnet flower?
In June–August; the flowers are red.
Does Great Burnet tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does Great Burnet need?
At maturity 1 ft 3¾ in–1 ft 7⅝ in wide and 2 ft 5½ in–2 ft 11⅜ in tall; recommended spacing 19¾ in.
Sources (15) Checked 28 September 2026
- missouribotanicalgarden.org
- api.gbif.org 2
- rhs.org.uk 2
- gaertnerei-strickler.de
- bamberger-staudengarten-shop.de
- shop.foerster-stauden.de
- yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
Similar plants
Have a look at these too.
European columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris
greater masterwort
Astrantia major
Uses