Great Burnet 'Pink Tanna' Sanguisorba officinalis 'Pink Tanna'
ABOUT
'Pink Tanna' is a herbaceous perennial, up to 90cm high, with pinnate leaves composed of many finely toothed dark green leaflets, and above them slender stems carrying deep pink bottlebrush-like flowerheads with pale pink stamens, from summer to early autumn
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae.
Synonyms
Great Burnet, Garden Burnet, Official Burnet, Salad Burnet.
Common names
Poterium officinale (L.) Gray
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
3 feet [0.91 meters]
Spread
1.5 feet [0.46 meters]
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Temperate Northern Hemisphere
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: 'Pink Tanna' is known to attract bees and butterflies, which are beneficial for pollinating garden plants and crops.
- Landscape Design: With its tall, wand-like flower spikes and bluish-green foliage, it adds an elegant vertical element to garden beds and borders.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, Sanguisorba officinalis 'Pink Tanna' is relatively drought-tolerant, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and water-efficient gardens.
- Seasonal Interest: Its pink flowers bloom in mid to late summer, providing color during a time when many other plants may have finished their show.
- Wildlife Habitat: The plant provides food and habitat for a variety of insects, which in turn can help support bird populations.
- Low Maintenance: It requires minimal care once established, making it an easy choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
- Soil Improvement: As a hardy perennial, it can help prevent soil erosion and improve soil structure over time.
Medical Properties- Anti-inflammatory: Sanguisorba officinalis, commonly known as Great Burnet, has been used traditionally to reduce inflammation.
- Antioxidant: The plant contains compounds that may act as antioxidants, potentially neutralizing harmful free radicals in the body.
- Antibacterial: Some studies suggest that extracts of Great Burnet have antibacterial properties against various strains of bacteria.
- Hemostatic: Great Burnet has been used historically to stop bleeding both internally and externally.
- Gastrointestinal Aid: It's been used to treat diarrhea and dysentery, potentially due to its astringent properties.
- Wound Healing: Topically, the plant has been applied to wounds to promote healing, likely because of its astringent and hemostatic effects.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Sanguisorba officinalis 'Pink Tanna', commonly known as the Great Burnet, can serve as a natural dye. The roots can be used to create shades of red or maroon on wool and other natural fibers.
- The leaves of Great Burnet can sometimes be used in the kitchen as a cucumber-flavored addition to salads or as a fresh garnish on various dishes.
- In floral arrangements, the distinctive dense flower spikes of Great Burnet add texture and an elongated form that brings vertical interest.
- Great Burnet can be planted as part of a butterfly garden as its flowers attract various species of butterflies and other beneficial pollinators.
- The plant's robust root system helps in soil erosion control, making it useful for planting on slopes or areas prone to surface wear.
- When dried, the seed heads of Great Burnet can be used in crafts or as a part of decorative dried flower arrangements.
- The long-lasting blooms are suitable for pressing and can be used in botanical art or to adorn handmade cards and bookmarks.
- Great Burnet can be used as a companion plant in vegetable gardens, where it may help attract predatory insects that would feed upon common pests.
- For educational purposes, the plant can be used in schools or nature programs to illustrate the life cycle of perennial herbs or to discuss native plant gardening.
- Gardeners use Great Burnet's dense clumps for creating structured designs or as border plants to define garden pathways or edges.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Great Burnet is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Great Burnet is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing and Medicine: Sanguisorba officinalis, commonly known as Great Burnet, has a history of use in herbal medicine. Its symbolic meaning includes healing and the ability to remedy illness, as it was traditionally used to treat wounds and bleeding.
- Protection: Great Burnet was also thought to offer protection against harm and evil spirits, symbolic of its sturdy and resilient nature in the wild.
- Balance and Harmony: With its round, tightly-packed flower heads, Great Burnet can symbolize balance and harmony in life, reflecting its structured and orderly appearance.
- Domestic Happiness: In some cultural contexts, the Great Burnet may represent the ideal of a happy home or family, possibly due to its perennial nature and the way it comes back year after year, suggesting stability and endurance.
WaterGreat Burnet should be watered deeply to encourage root development, which typically means applying water until the soil becomes moist but not waterlogged at the root zone. It's best to water this plant once a week, providing about one to one and a half gallons of water each time during the growing season, assuming there is no significant rainfall. In hot and dry conditions, you may need to water more frequently. During the dormant season in fall and winter, reduce watering to every two weeks or less, depending on the soil moisture level. Always adjust your watering schedule based on the soil moisture content to prevent overwatering and root rot.
LightGreat Burnet thrives best in full sunlight to partial shade, meaning it should receive at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Place it in a spot where it can get ample morning sunlight and some afternoon shade, especially in hot climates, to protect the foliage from intense heat. However, too much shade can result in fewer blooms and leggy growth.
TemperatureGreat Burnet can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but thrives in conditions that stay between 50°F and 70°F. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about -20°F, which means it's hardy in quite cold climates. The ideal growing conditions for Great Burnet are moderate temperatures, avoiding prolonged exposure to temperatures above 85°F.
PruningPruning Great Burnet should be done to remove spent flower spikes and to maintain a tidy plant shape. It's best to prune immediately after the first flowering, typically in mid to late summer. This can encourage a second bloom and prevent the plant from self-seeding excessively. Cut the flower spikes back to the base of the plant. Deadheading during the growing season can prolong blooming.
CleaningAs needed
SoilGreat Burnet ('Pink Tanna') thrives in a well-draining soil mix, ideally composed of garden loam, peat, and sand in equal parts to facilitate root growth and prevent waterlogging. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0 for optimal growth.
RepottingGreat Burnet ('Pink Tanna') doesn't need frequent repotting; it can be repotted every two to three years or when you notice that it has outgrown its current pot. Repot in spring just before new growth begins.
Humidity & MistingGreat Burnet ('Pink Tanna') prefers moderate humidity levels, but it is adaptable and can tolerate a range of conditions. It doesn't require the high humidity that some other houseplants do.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright light, avoid dry air.
Outdoor
Choose sunny spot; mulch well in winter.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleSanguisorba officinalis 'Pink Tanna', commonly known as Great Burnet, begins its life as a seed which germinates in the spring when soil temperatures warm up. After sprouting, the plant grows into a low rosette of pinnate leaves, which is followed by the development of tall, erect stems. During the early to mid-summer, it progresses to its flowering stage, producing dense, elongated clusters of small, pinkish-red flowers, which attract pollinators. After pollination, the flowers develop into small nutlet fruits which contain the seeds. The plant goes dormant in the winter, dying back to the ground, but as a perennial herb, it resurfaces in the spring from the existing rootstock. Finally, the Great Burnet completes its cycle by dispersing seeds, either by wind, animal activity, or self-seeding, ensuring the survival of the species for the next growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Late Spring to Early Summer
Sanguisorba officinalis 'Pink Tanna', commonly known as Greater Burnet, is typically propagated by division, which is best performed in the spring. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the plant as the new growth begins to emerge, ensuring to keep a good amount of root on each section. Using a sharp knife or spade, divide the clump into smaller sections, each with several shoots and a portion of the root system. These divisions can then be immediately replanted into well-prepared soil, spaced about 15 to 18 inches (approximately 38 to 46 centimeters) apart to allow for growth. Water the new plants thoroughly after planting to help establish them. This method of propagation is straightforward and helps to rejuvenate older clumps that may have become woody or less vigorous.
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