Great Burnet – 10 Seeds

Great Burnet Seeds. Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) is native throughout the cooler regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, northern Asia, and northern North America. It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 1 m tall, which occurs in grasslands, growing well on grassy banks.

A member of the rose family, it is a perennial and can survive for decades due to its extensive root system. This clump-forming perennial has oblong leaves and dense, maroon flower spikes in summer and autumn. The oval, crimson flower heads appear on long, green stalks, giving them the look of lollipops.

The great burnet is the big brother of the salad burnet or pimpernel. Similar to its smaller sibling, you can use it as a spicy wild herb, with a slightly milder taste.

Great Burnet Culinary Uses

• The young leaves, leaflets and unopened flower heads are added to salads, stir-fries and soups or used as a topping.
• Its mildly flavored leaves add a cucumber taste to salads.
• Dried leaves are made into a tea.

Great Burnet Medicinal Benefits

• Used for years in Chinese medicine to treat burns and skin ailments.
• Controls bleeding, reduces inflammation, promotes healing and destroys many pathogenic organisms.
• Internally for diarrhea, dysentery, ulcerative colitis, hemorrhoids, and abnormal uterine bleeding.
• Externally for burns, scalds, sores and skin diseases.
• An ingredient in Chinese formulas to treat cervical erosion.
• Dentifrice for periodontal disease.

Growing Great Burnet

Indoor Sowing: Not Recommended.

Direct Sowing: Early Spring and Autumn.

• Great Burnet grows best in a moderately fertile moist, but well-drained soil, that does not dry out.
• Grow best in full sun, but can also be grown in partial shade.
• Seeds should be direct sown in Early Spring or Autumn.
• Sow the seeds on top of  the surface of moist well-drained soil. Cover with a thin layer of fine soil.
• Keep soil consistently moist.