Sanguisorba minor (Salad Burnet)

Primarily grown for its tasty leaves, Sanguisorba minor (Salad Burnet) is a hardy, dainty perennial forming a low basal rosette of pinnate leaves, each with 4-12 pairs of rounded, toothed leaflets. The ferny leaves have a delicate cucumber flavor and may be added to summer drinks and salads. In summer, unusual crimson rounded flowers appear on tall, slender stalks rising well above the foliage. While attracting a wealth of insects, they are not particularly ornamental and are often removed by gardeners more interested in increased leaf production. The young leaves have the best flavor. Evergreen in warm winter climates.

• Grows in upright, bushy clumps, up to 9-24 in. high (22-60 cm) and 12-24 in. across (30-60 cm). Salad Burnet can spread by rhizomes, but the young seedlings are easy to pull out.
• Performs best in full sun in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils that do not dry out.
• A great choice for banks and slopes, cottage gardens, coastal gardens, prairies, meadows, or wildlife gardens.
• Virtually pest and disease free. Deer resistant.
• Regularly cut back older leaves to promote the growth of young leaves which have the best taste.
• Propagate by seed. Propagate by division.
• Freely self-seeds. Remove flower stalks immediately after bloom unless self-seeding is desired.
• Native to Europe, northern Africa, the Canary Islands, and Asia.