Botanical profile

Burnet

Latin name
Sanguisorba minor
Common name
Burnet
Type
Medicinal perennial
Family
Rosaceae

Burnet is an aromatic perennial plant much appreciated for its fine, rounded, and delicately cut foliage, with a fresh taste subtly reminiscent of cucumber and green walnut. It fits perfectly into herb gardens, vegetable patches, edible borders, and containers near the kitchen. Its young leaves are harvested as needed and add a fresh touch to salads, vinaigrettes, cold sauces, dips, sandwiches, omelets, fish, and summer dishes.

Easy to grow, burnet prefers a sunny to slightly semi-shaded location, in light, fresh, and well-drained soil. It tolerates moderate conditions quite well and requires little maintenance once established. Regular harvesting of young leaves promotes a denser and more productive plant, while maintaining tender and flavorful foliage. During hot periods, regular watering helps preserve its freshness and culinary quality.

Both decorative, edible, and very useful in the kitchen, burnet is ideal for gardeners looking for a different perennial herb that is easy to grow and pleasant to harvest. Its light foliage adds texture to edible arrangements and pairs very well with other herbs, lettuces, edible flowers, and leafy vegetables. It is an excellent plant for enriching a gourmet garden with a fresh, subtle, and original flavor.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Edible foliage with a fresh, cucumber-like taste
Vegetable garden, herbs, edible border, container, natural garden
Container growing
Excellent in a pot in a well-drained container
Seasonal care
Harvest young leaves regularly; cut flower stalks to encourage tender foliage; prune back in spring
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
3 to 9
Exposure
Sun to partial shade
Watering
Regular; keep the soil slightly moist without waterlogging
Humidity
Average moisture; tolerates slightly dry soil once established
Fertilization
Light compost in spring; low to moderate fertilization
Soil type
Light to medium, fertile, fresh, and well-drained soil
Soil pH
Neutral to slightly alkaline
Minimum temperature
-30°C
Propagation method
Seeding or division
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Spring to summer
Flower color
Greenish to reddish pink
Fruiting
Late-season seeds
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Obsolete
Shape
Low, rounded clump with fine foliage
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches)
Width
30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches)
Growth rate
Average growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Chives, parsley, lettuces, strawberries
Plants to avoid
None known
Spacing
25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches)
Harvest period
Leaves from spring to autumn
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

Deer
Less attractive or generally tolerated by deer

Deer

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.