Small Burnet: A Mediterranean Herb Worth Knowing
If you’ve ever wandered through a Mediterranean hillside or explored an old herb garden, you might have encountered the charming little plant known as small burnet (Sanguisorba minor balearica). This unassuming perennial forb has been quietly making itself at home across North America, and while it’s not native to our continent, it has some interesting qualities that might catch a gardener’s attention.
What Exactly Is Small Burnet?
Small burnet is a herbaceous perennial that belongs to the rose family, though you’d never guess it from its appearance. Rather than showy blooms, this plant produces small, rounded flower heads that look almost like tiny green and red pincushions. As a forb, it lacks any significant woody tissue and dies back to ground level each winter, returning faithfully each spring from its persistent root system.
The plant goes by several scientific synonyms, including Poterium polygamum and various subspecies classifications, which can make identification a bit tricky for amateur botanists. But don’t let the scientific names intimidate you – this is actually a fairly straightforward plant to recognize once you know what to look for.
Where You’ll Find It Growing
Originally from the Mediterranean region, small burnet has established itself across a surprisingly wide range of North American locations. You can find it growing wild in states from Alabama to Wyoming, and it’s also taken hold in several Canadian provinces including British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. This extensive distribution shows just how adaptable this little plant can be.
The Good, The Bad, and The Unknown
Here’s where things get a bit murky with small burnet. While it’s clearly non-native and has spread widely, its invasive status remains unclear. This puts gardeners in an interesting position – it’s not necessarily harmful, but it’s also not contributing to local ecosystem health the way native plants would.
The plant’s impact on wildlife is also largely unknown. While it may provide some nectar for insects, it likely doesn’t support the complex web of native insects, birds, and other wildlife that co-evolved with our indigenous plants.
Growing Small Burnet Successfully
If you do decide to grow small burnet, the good news is that it’s relatively low-maintenance. Based on its Mediterranean origins and widespread naturalization, here’s what this plant seems to prefer:
- Well-drained soils (it doesn’t like wet feet)
- Full sun to partial shade
- USDA hardiness zones 4-8
- Minimal watering once established
- Poor to moderately fertile soil
The plant typically reaches about 12-18 inches in height and spreads slowly through its root system. Its compact growth habit makes it suitable for rock gardens, herb gardens, or naturalized areas where you want something that won’t require much fussing.
Consider Native Alternatives
Before you rush out to plant small burnet, consider whether a native alternative might better serve your garden and local ecosystem. Depending on your region, you might explore native plants like:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
- Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)
- Local native sedges or grasses
- Regional wildflowers adapted to your specific conditions
These native options will provide similar aesthetic appeal while supporting local wildlife and contributing to regional biodiversity.
The Bottom Line
Small burnet is one of those plants that exists in a gray area – not particularly problematic, but not particularly beneficial either. If you already have it growing on your property, there’s no urgent need to remove it. If you’re considering planting it, you might want to explore native alternatives first. Sometimes the most interesting garden stories come from the plants that choose us, rather than the ones we choose – and small burnet seems to be quite good at making that choice for itself.
Whatever you decide, remember that every garden is an opportunity to support the intricate web of life that makes our landscapes truly vibrant and resilient.
