Salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba
Salad burnet (Poterium sanguisorba) is an evergreen perennial herb in the Rosaceae family, native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia (chalk and limestone grassland). It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 30–45 cm (12–18 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Salad burnet in your garden →
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Salad burnet at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–45 cm (12–18 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: young leaves (cucumber flavour) |
| Native to | Europe, North Africa and western Asia (chalk and limestone grassland) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇪🇸 Spain |
Is Salad burnet toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Salad burnet
Good neighbours
- good With Garlic chives: Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal. Evidence D
Questions about Salad burnet
- How far apart should I plant Salad burnet?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–45 cm (12–18 in).
- Does Salad burnet need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Salad burnet need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Salad burnet?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Salad burnet flower?
- From about May for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Salad burnet poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Salad burnet?
- Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Wildflowers and meadows, Plantlife (UK)
Notes and assumptions
- Better known as Sanguisorba minor. Neat rosettes of round-toothed leaflets that stay green most of the winter; wind-pollinated knobs with red styles. Pick young leaves; old ones turn bitter.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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