Most sanguisorbas, or burnets, are measured in feet, but the dwarf 'Little Angel' remains well under 12 inches in height. Its variegated foliage and midsummer flowers keep in proportion to its overall size, completing a cute and curious package. Although 'Little Angel' burnet can be used as an edging plant in the garden, it may be best used in a container, either alone or around the base of upright companions, so that its details can be appreciated.
Common name: 'Little Angel' dwarf burnet
Botanical name: Sanguisorba officinalis var. microcephala 'Little Angel'
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Flowers: From mid- to late summer, tiny maroon flowers appear on skinny stems that rise above the foliage. The flowers are rounded and resemble match heads. They may remind you of a drumstick allium, only miniature.
Foliage: Grayish mint green leaves, just a quarter-inch in size, densely line this dwarf burnet's stems. Oval in shape, the leaf has a scalloped edge that's bright white, often with a deep pink rim.
Size and habit: 'Little Angel' burnet has a mat-like shape. It reaches 4 to 6 inches tall and about 12 inches wide. This is a creeping perennial that can spread by underground stems; however it is shallow rooted and easy to keep in check by pulling up unwanted growth at the edges of the plant.
Origin: The sanguisorba selection 'Little Angel' first appeared in a Japanese nursery. Dutch nurserymen visiting that nursery brought it back to the Netherlands and popularized it. 'Little Angel' is known for the stability of its leaf variegation, while other selections tend to revert to green. The species Sanguisorba officinalis is a wetland plant native to northern Europe and Asia and the west coast of North America.
How to grow it: Sanguisorba 'Little Angel' grows in full sun to part shade. Afternoon shade is needed in areas with hot summers. It prefers evenly moist soil and will tolerate a wet spot as well. Once established, it can take very short periods of drought and it bounces back well once watered. USDA Zones 4–8.
Images courtesy of Walters Gardens. Foliage detail by Marco van Noort.
