Bloodroot - Commonly Known as Tolen

Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis), also commonly known as official burnet or garden burnet, is an undemanding yet highly attractive perennial with small carmine-red flowers. It thrives in regular garden substrate, in both sunny and partially shaded locations, and requires only moderate watering. It's useful not only in ornamental plantings but also in natural medicine.

🌸 Plant Characteristics

Great Burnet is a perennial herb from the rose family, growing up to 1 meter in height. Its distinctive features are cylindrical carmine flowers that bloom from June to September and attract butterflies and bees. It occurs naturally throughout Europe – primarily in moist meadows, peatlands, and along streams.

It's suitable for natural and ornamental beds, works very well in group plantings or as a complement to other perennials.

🌱 Growing Great Burnet

Soil and Location:
Burnet prefers regular garden substrate, ideally well-draining with sufficient humus content. It's suitable for both sunny locations and partial shade. In heavy, clay soils, we recommend mixing in sand.

💧 Watering and Fertilizing

Watering:
The plant is relatively undemanding – moderate but regular watering is sufficient, especially during dry periods or after planting.

Fertilizing:
Not necessary, but for more abundant flowering, you can fertilize 1–2 times per year. Organic fertilizers for perennials are suitable.

🌱 Propagation and Maintenance

Burnet propagates by:

• division of clumps (in spring or autumn)
• sowing seeds (recommended in the cooler part of the year for natural stratification)

Maintenance is minimal – simply remove spent flowers, or trim the plant with scissors after flowering or to maintain shape.

🌿 Medicinal Properties

Burnet has traditional uses in folk medicine. The root contains tannins and essential oils, which act:

• against diarrhea and bleeding
• for problems with gums or hemorrhoids (in the form of a decoction for rinses or sitz baths)