Sanguisorba officinalis 'Arnhem'

Sanguisorba officinalis 'Arnhem', discovered by chance near the eponymous Dutch city, is a Great Burnet that possesses a unique charm. While this tall plant has a somewhat stiff habit when in bloom, it is undeniably graceful and beautifully coloured. Above its foliage, multiple small raspberry-red spikes bloom, their elusive beauty enhanced by the slightest breeze. The flowering continues throughout the summer, fading into a brown colour that blends perfectly with wildflowers and the hair-like roots of grasses. The vigorous root is also perfectly hardy, even in heavy, waterlogged soils in winter. It will bring a natural and poetic touch to the garden. The Great Burnet is originally a plant of moist to wet soil, which creates a sensation near water sources.

Sanguisorba officinalis is a medicinal botanical species widespread in the temperate northern hemisphere, from Europe to North America, through North and West Asia. It belongs to the large family of Rosaceae. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant, non-invasive, developing from a vigorous root. The foliage emerges in spring and disappears in winter.

The 'Arnhem' cultivar, under good conditions (in fresh and fertile soil), forms a clump of approximately 1.50m (5ft) in height and 60cm (24in) in width, with rapid growth. It slowly spreads to form beautiful leafy masses with a very fresh bluish-green colour. From June to August, large floral spikes emerge from the foliage, bearing short, semi-erect, stout, cylindrical spikes, 2-3cm (1in) long. They are adorned with tiny flowers of a beautiful raspberry-red colour, more vivid than the typically dull red observed in common burnets. The faded and browned inflorescences remain decorative for a long time. This flowering distinctly overtops a beautifully cut foliage. The basal leaves, 20 to 30cm (8 to 12in) long, are divided into 7 to 25 leaflets, oblong, elliptical, and regularly toothed. The stem leaves, smaller and erect, are often tinged with red.

Sanguisorba officinalis 'Arnhem' is an airy plant, with subtle and wild charm, which will work wonders in the heart of wild or naturalistic beds, in a flowery meadow, and of course at the edge of a pond. It will adapt to any soil that does not dry out even in summer, even if it tends to be limestone and clayey. It has the advantage of being highly resistant to cold, allowing it to be adopted in almost all regions. For a beautiful wild and refined effect, it can be planted en masse, associated with Lychnis 'Jenny', Cirsium 'Atropurpureum', Miscanthus sinensis 'Ghana', or Pennisetum orientale 'Karley Rose'. It will accompany, with lightness, other beautiful foliage plants, such as Alchemilla mollis or the tall Angelica gigas. Its foliage, with a delightful cucumber aroma, can also be included in mixed salads.