Description
Purple Japanese burnet (Sanguisorba tenuifolia var. purpurea or S. tenuifolia ‘Purpurea’) produces reddish purple flower heads atop 5- to 7-foot-tall stems in late summer into fall. It’s typical for the heads to be long enough to nod, but sometimes they are shorter and more upright. There’s variability in the plant height and amount of branching too: plenty of possibilities for selecting plants with the traits you prefer. The multi-part green leaves turn yellow, perhaps with some orange too, in fall. Full sun to light shade; soil that is on the moist side is best. Perennial; Zones 4 to 8.
Please be aware that it takes several years for Japanese burnet to really look good when you grow it from seed. I have found that older plants are also slow to settle in after transplanting, though—if you can even find them for purchase—so seed is a reasonable way to go. Figure on waiting until year 3, at least, for the first flowers, and don’t be disappointed if the flower stems tend to be sprawly for the first few years. Eventually, the plant will fill out and the flower stalks tend to be sturdier, but even then, the tall stalks may tend to lean or flop. In my experience, pruning the plants can minimize or eliminate the need for staking or propping-up. For more information on pruning options, combination ideas, and more, check out the post I wrote on this species a few years ago: One Plant, Three Seasons: Sanguisorba tenuifolia.
Collected in mid October 2022. Each packet contains at least 15 seeds. Shipping to US addresses only.
Please read the germination information as well before ordering.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.