Sanguisorba officinalis ‘Beetlewings’ AGM

Greater Burnet Rosaceae

A particularly useful, compact selection of burnet, forming a tidy clump of dark green, toothed foliage and strong, upright stems carrying masses of deep crimson to maroon-red bottlebrush flowers. The flowerheads retain their rich colour well into September, giving a long season of interest from July into autumn. Unlike many taller Sanguisorbas, ‘Beetlewings’ has a notably compact, self-supporting habit, making it excellent for the middle of the herbaceous border.

‘Beetlewings’ received the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 2021 and is rated H7, confirming its excellent hardiness in British conditions. The RHS describes it as a vigorous, clump-forming perennial with upright, slim spikes of dark crimson-maroon flowers, reaching approximately 0.5–1m in height and spread.

Grow in full sun or partial shade in moderately fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. It is particularly effective in prairie and naturalistic planting, where the dark flowerheads combine beautifully with grasses and late-season perennials. The flowers are also valuable to bees and other pollinating insects.

Flowering: July–September
Hardiness: H7, below –20°C
Height: 0.5–1m
Spread: 60–90cm