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.
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)
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
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:
I got a stunning variegated one from Arrowhead Alpines last year — the flowers are nice, but the foliage is nearly outlined in white and is absolutely stunning. Sadly, I don’t see it in their catalog this year! I should have bought more.
I got a stunning variegated one from Arrowhead Alpines last year — the flowers are nice, but the foliage is nearly outlined in white and is absolutely stunning. Sadly, I don’t see it in their catalog this year! I should have bought more.