Canada Burnet, An Underappreciated Native (Sanguisorba canadensis)

Canada Burnet, An Underappreciated Native (Sanguisorba canadensis)

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I wish I had a pond and a solid wet area around it – so much so that I am considering adding at least one water feature to my garden. My top-of-the-hill location (where water quickly sheds with gravity) means that I don’t have a good habitat for plants that want a wetter, maybe even swampy place to live. Sanguisorbas (in general), and specifically, the native sanguisorba canadensis are top on my list of coveted plants to add – once the pond exists.

A cluster of fluffy white bottlebrush flowers on tall, slender stems stands amidst lush green foliage. The ground is covered in broad flat leaves, reflecting the dampness of recent rain—a beautiful scene featuring the Canadian Burnet, or Sanguisorba canadensis, native to Maine.
Canada burnet is a flowering plant native to North America. Its scientific name is Sanguisorba canadensis. It is commonly found in wet meadows and along streams in the eastern and central regions of Canada and the northern United States. Canada Burnet is known for its candles of white flowers that have a fuzzy appearance, which are particularly attractive in a naturalistic or native garden setting.
Sanguisorba canadensis on the Coastal Trail at Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland, Canada. Image by Ron Parsons.

Sanguisorba is native to Maine, Eastern Canada, and Massachusetts, where I live. I expect it to thrive and add a lot to my airy, casual, slightly wild, and naturalistic New England Garden. I love the prolific white flowers, and this combo by James Alexander Sinclair is one of the prettiest I have seen in a while.  (Sanguisorba canadensis, Verbena bonariensis and last weeks native Salix exigua)

Canada Burnet, An Underappreciated Native (Sanguisorba canadensis)
The prolific white flowers of Canada burnet in this combo by James Alexander Sinclair is one of the prettiest I have seen in a while.  (Sanguisorba canadensis, Verbena bonariensis and last weeks native – Salix exigua)
Close-up of tall, green and white, fuzzy flower spikes of Sanguisorba canadensis in a garden. The background features blurred, dense foliage and some brown leaves, suggesting a lush, natural setting. It's an impression of a serene, sunlit outdoor space in Maine.
The long stamens of the garden burnet look like tall white candles in the late summer.  – image by James Alexander-Sinclair
Close-up of multiple bottlebrush-like green and white flowers, identified as Sanguisorba canadensis or Canadian Burnet, growing vertically with dense clusters of soft, feathery petals on each spike. The blurred background accentuates the delicate structure and texture of these Maine-native blooms.
Sanguisorba canadensis, the white burnet or Canadian burnet, is a species of flowering plant in the rose family Rosaceae, native to North America. Image By Raimo

Canadian burnet not only has beautiful flowers, but pretty foliage that smells like cucumbers (ahhh a scent that always reminds me of summer).  Some varieties of sanguisorba leaves can be added to salads and have a cucumber taste. The Canadian burnet is also edible, but generally requires cooking.

Other Native Sanguisorbas

Close-up of several flowering plants with elongated, cylindrical blossoms in shades of pink and purple. Among them, the Canadian Burnet (Sanguisorba canadensis) stands out. The background is filled with green foliage and blurred purple-blue flowers, reminiscent of a serene Maine garden.
Red Sanguisorba or Menzies Burnet or Alaskan Burnet (Sanguisorba menziesii) is another north American native sanguisorba – its Inflorescences (flowers) are on terminal spikes are shaped like dark purple brushes on flexible stems. Image by Marc.

The whole family of Sanguisorbas has a lot to offer in the garden; I think this one is Sanguisorba menziesii (Available from Digging Dog Nursery), which is native only to Washington State and Alaska and is another beautiful variation of this useful plant.

Sanguisorba officinalis is native to west coast of USA as well as to northern Europe (depending on the variety).

A rustic terracotta pot sits amidst lush green foliage and deep red flowers, featuring the delicate blooms of Canadian Burnet. Dried plants and small stones add variety to the textured landscape, highlighting the verdant and natural elements of this picturesque Maine garden scene.
A rare native of Ireland – Sanguisorba officinalis ‘Tanna’ is a compact variety. image by jacki-dee.
Close-up of green dewy leaves in a garden, with some dried brown leaves mixed in. The fresh Canadian Burnet leaves have saw-toothed edges and are covered with small droplets of water, creating a contrast with the dry, crinkled brown leaves in the background. Part of Maine's 50 Natives series.
Sanguisorba minor (Salad burnet) photographed in Victoria, BC. This plant is not native to North America – it is native to Europe and Western Asia and it is edible fresh in salads. Image by Lotus Johnson.

I’ve tried adding this to my garden – but with mixed results. It is reportedly a favorite of deer and bunnies – but that isn’t what caused the demise of my plants – they just didn’t thrive. I had it in a couple places – one drier and sunnier and another shadier and with more moisture. I think it really would have been better if I could have found a place where it was both moist and sunny. Do you grow this plant?  What do you like or dislike about it?

More Canadian Plants and Ideas from Northern Gardens:



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