Sanguisorba officinalis Red Thunder

The  Sanguisorba officinalis 'Red Thunder' is a variety of Great Burnet that works wonders in flower meadows or naturalistic-inspired beds. Above a tuft of beautifully cut grey-blue foliage stands a multitude of flowers in dark purple-red spikes, which are given an elusive beauty by the slightest breeze. The flowering lasts throughout the summer, fading to a brown colour that blends beautifully with wildflowers and grass root hairs. The stump, very vigorous, also proves perfectly hardy, even in heavy, waterlogged soils in winter. It will give sunny beds a natural and colourful touch. The Common Burnet is originally a plant that thrives in fresh to moist soil, making it a sensation near water sources.

The Sanguisorba officinalis is a medicinal botanical species widespread throughout the entire temperate Northern Hemisphere. It belongs to the large family of Rosaceae. It is a non-invasive, herbaceous rhizomatous perennial plant that develops from a vigorous stump. The foliage emerges in spring and disappears in winter.

The 'Red Thunder' cultivar was selected for its increased floribundity, the beauty of its flowers, and its excellent resistance to wind and bad weather. Under good conditions (in fresh and fertile soil), it forms a tuft of approximately 1.10 m (4ft) in height, 60 cm (24in) in width, with a rapid growth rate. It spreads slowly to form beautiful leafy masses with a very fresh grey-blue colour. From June to August, tall flower spikes emerge from the foliage, bearing erect, cylindrical, 4 cm (2in) long spikes. They are adorned with tiny purple-red flowers. The faded and browned inflorescences remain decorative for a long time. This flowering stands out prominently against the beautifully cut foliage. The basal leaves, 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12in) long, are divided into 7 to 25 leaflets, oblong, elliptical, and regularly toothed. The leaves of the stems, smaller and upright, are often tinged with red.

The compact 'Red Thunder' Sanguisorba officinalis can be placed in the heart of flower beds, in a flower meadow or at the edge of a pond, in soil that will not dry out even in summer, even if it tends to be calcareous and clayey. It has the advantage of being highly resistant to cold. For a wild and refined effect, it can be planted en masse, combined with Lychnis Jenny, Cirsium Atropurpureum, Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus 'Cosmopolitan', or Pennisetum orientale 'Karley Rose'. It will accompany with lightness other beautiful foliage plants, such as Anaphalis triplinervis, Alchemilla mollis, or the tall Angelica gigas. Its foliage with a delightful cucumber aroma can also be added to mixed salads.