Sanguisorba minor

Sanguisorba minor is a perennial rhizomatous plant with a unique flowering in green and purple spikes. It is also known as Little Burnet. Its leaves have a cucumber taste and have been used since the Middle Ages for their antiseptic properties. It found a good place in the King's vegetable garden in Versailles in the 18th century.

Sanguisorba minor is very hardy and forms a clump measuring 50cm (20in) in height, with a spreading habit. It develops beautiful deciduous, elliptical, dentate, veined, bluish-green foliage. In June, leafy stems bear terminal spikes, in a bottlebrush shape, composed of small green flowers tinged with purple.

Little Burnet appreciates dry, well-drained and preferably calcareous soil in a sunny location. In its natural state, it grows in dry meadows and also on dunes. In rock gardens, plant it with summer perennials, or annuals such as scabious, sage, love-in-a-mist, or Spanish daisy.

Sanguisorba minor is mainly used as an aromatic plant for the harvest of its leaves. These can be consumed in salads, soups, refreshing drinks, fruit salads, and omelettes. Combine with chives, rosemary, or tarragon to flavour your preparations. It is rich in vitamin C and tannic acid and has haemostatic properties.

Tip: Infuse a teaspoon of dried leaves in a cup of boiling water. Once cooled, the juice is ideal for sunburn.