Sanguisorba ‘Proud Mary’
Sanguisorba ‘Proud Mary’ is a striking and graceful perennial that adds airy texture and elegant colour to borders and naturalistic planting schemes. Known for its upright stems topped with slender, bottlebrush-like crimson-pink flowers, this variety brings movement and long-lasting interest from midsummer well into autumn. With a neat clumping habit and fine, ferny foliage, ‘Proud Mary’ blends effortlessly with grasses, late-flowering perennials, and meadow-style plantings, making it a favourite among both contemporary and cottage-style gardeners.
Key Features
-
Botanical name: Sanguisorba ‘Proud Mary’
-
Common name: Burnet
-
Plant type: Hardy herbaceous perennial
-
Height: 70cm (2.3ft)
-
Spread: 50cm (1.6ft)
-
Flowering time: Midsummer to autumn (June to September)
-
Slender, bottlebrush-shaped flower heads in rich crimson-pink
-
Graceful, upright stems that sway in the breeze
-
Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -20 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H7)
Growth & Habit
‘Proud Mary’ forms a tidy clump of attractive, feathery foliage at the base, with tall, wiry stems emerging in summer. The flower spikes are slim and gently nodding, offering a light, airy quality that adds vertical interest without dominating the planting space. It’s particularly effective in large drifts or among contrasting textures like grasses or broad-leaved perennials.
Planting Advice
-
Position: Best in full sun, though it will tolerate partial shade.
-
Potted: Can be planted at any time of year if the soil is workable and not waterlogged or frozen.
-
Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil. Thrives in loamy or clay-based soils improved with organic matter.
-
Planting Depth: Plant at the same level as it was in the pot. Firm gently and water thoroughly.
-
Spacing: Space 45–60cm apart to allow for natural movement and air circulation.
Works beautifully in prairie-style schemes, large borders, and naturalistic gardens.
Care & Maintenance
This is an undemanding plant once established. Cut back flower stems after flowering if a neater appearance is desired, or leave them through winter for structure and wildlife interest. In late autumn or early spring, cut back old foliage to ground level to make way for new growth. Water during extended dry spells, particularly in the first growing season.
Uses in the Garden
-
Ideal for wildlife-friendly gardens and pollinator planting
-
Adds movement, colour, and softness to mixed borders
-
Perfect for naturalistic, prairie, and meadow-style schemes
-
Pairs well with ornamental grasses, rudbeckia, echinacea, and veronicastrum
-
Adds elegance to both modern and traditional planting designs
-
Suitable for cut flower gardens and late-season interest displays
Sanguisorba ‘Proud Mary’ is a graceful and long-flowering perennial that brings subtle drama and effortless beauty to any sunny border. With its fine foliage, dancing flower spikes, and extended season of interest, it’s a superb choice for gardeners looking to enhance texture, pollinator value, and colour with minimal maintenance. A proud addition to any planting scheme.
Buying Herbs from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries our herbs are sold to plant out and grow on rather than instant culinary use. Unlike many supermarkets we grow them to help create a hardly plant with a good healthy root system that will grow to provide a good ‘clump’ producing to come.
Depending on the time of year you make your purchase herbs not look like the images on our website as they are trimmed back judiciously as required to prevent them from becoming leggy and untidy.
Herbs, as well as being beautiful sensory plants, are useful for home remedies and cooking. They smell lovely, look wonderful and you can use them—what could be better? There are two main ways of growing herbs, in containers or in the garden.
Planting and Conditions
The conditions required for planting varies between different herbs.
Basil, Bay, Caraway, Chives, Dill, Marjoram, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage and Thyme all prefer well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade. Rosemary in particular will not survive being frozen during the winter months.
Chervil, Coriander, Mint and French Tarragon all prefer partial sun or shade, and like well-drained to dry soil.
Herbs would also benefit greatly from being planted in raised beds, which usually offer the perfect conditions for growth, as they have well-drained soil and are more likely to catch the rays of sun needed for most herb varieties.
Aftercare and Pruning
There is no need to prune your herbs excessively, because you are likely to be using them regularly after they have established anyway. If any dead foliage is found, just remove it to encourage future growth.
Water your herbs at regular intervals, especially if they are being kept indoors. Bear in mind that the majority of herbs prefer well-drained, dryer soil, so resist the urge to overwater them.
Some herbs die back in winter. These will look after themselves. Some more tender herbs can only be grown if brought inside during the cooler months.
Potential Issues
Specific to rosemary and sage, the beautiful but destructive rosemary beetle feeds on the foliage and flowers of host plants. Simply picking them off can be effective, otherwise the use of pesticides should be employed if the case is severe. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions with regards to pesticides and herbs for culinary purposes.
Slugs and snails are prominent pests on herbs. Simply picking them off or using a beer trap is an effective way of dealing with the problem should it become a prominent issue.
Slug pellets should only be used as a last resort to avoid harming birds and other wildlife.
Grey mould may also occur on some herbs. While there are no approved fungicides for use against grey mould, some products containing plant and fish oil blends can be used. They are unlikely to have much impact, and simply removing affected parts of the plant can be effective.
| Size | Availability | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
In stock
|
£6.99 | ||
|
|
In stock
|
£9.99 |