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Salad Burnet
Sanguisorba minor
Bernet, Small Burnet, Garden Burnet (Eng.), Salie (Afr.)
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Salad burnet is a dainty clump-forming perennial with round serrated leaves. The leaves have a distinct cucumber-watermelon taste and can be used to add additional flavour to salads. This lovely specimen is perfect for a shady mixed herb bed or pot as it grows well with other herbs and cool winter greens.
Planning
Difficulty
Easy
Fruiting time
Summer, Autumn, Spring
Harvesting
Fresh leaves have the best flavour and can be harvested throughout the growing season, maturing within 70-100 days of planting. Cut back flowers to encourage new growth. You can start harvesting plants when they are about 10 cm tall.
Propagation
Division
This species prefers to be grown by seed and not to be divided, as it doesn't tend to transplant well but can be divided, in spring or autumn.
Seed
Sow seeds any time of year, 5 mm deep and 20 cm apart. Germination takes 2 weeks.
Rhizomes
Dig up the excess rhizomes around an old specimen and cut it up into smaller rhizomes. Plant them 2 cm deep and 20 cm apart. Water well after division and on dry, hot days.
Special features
Attracts useful insects
Attract insects like bees.
Drought resistant
This species is drought resistant once fully established.
Pot plant
Great to plant in pots as it stays small in most semi-sun positions.
Geography
Origin
Europe, Africa, and Asia
Natural climate
Temperate
Environment
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Soil moisture
Moist
Soil PH preference
Alkaline, Neutral
Frost hardiness
Half-Hardy
Uses
Edible
The leaves are edible and have a clean, cucumber-like flavour and can be added to salads, cold drinks, sandwiches, and as a flavouring for sauces and vinegars.
Notes
Culinary, medicinal
Personality
Family
Rosaceae
Flower colour
Pink -purple to maroon
Scent
None
Problems
Salad Burnet is bothered by few pests and diseases, but a few worm species tend to consume the leaves and need to be monitored regularly to ensure plants aren't damaged. It can also be prone to leaf spot disease, in wet or damp weather. Provide good air circulation and remove affected leaves.
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