Sanguisorba officinalis ‘Red Thunder’

Description

Sanguisorba ‘Red Thunder’

Sanguisorba ‘Red Thunder’ is a striking herbaceous perennial reaching around 90-120cm in height, with a spread of approximately 45-60cm. It forms an upright clump of attractive, deeply divided grey-green foliage, providing a handsome backdrop from spring onwards.

From midsummer into early autumn, tall, branching stems bear masses of small, bottlebrush-like crimson-red flowers that dance gracefully above the foliage on wiry stems, adding movement and rich colour to borders and prairie-style planting schemes. The blooms are also attractive to bees and other pollinating insects.

Cultivation is straightforward: plant in full sun or light dappled shade in moist but well-drained, fertile soil. It associates particularly well with ornamental grasses and late-season perennials, and is generally hardy throughout the UK. Deadhead to prolong flowering, and cut back old growth in late autumn or early spring.