Horti Tops® Salad Burnet

Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba minor)

The Forgotten Cucumber Herb

Salad burnet was once a common salad herb, grown in every kitchen garden. Its small, serrated leaves have a mild cucumber flavor – refreshing and delicate. While it has fallen from fashion, it deserves rediscovery for its unique flavor and remarkable hardiness.

Culinary Uses

In salads: Add the tender young leaves for subtle cucumber flavor. Use the whole leaves as they are small and attractive.

In drinks: Float in water, wine, or cocktails for cucumber notes.

Herb butter: Chop finely and blend with butter for fish or vegetables.

Use only raw: Cooking destroys the delicate flavor. Always add fresh at the last moment.

Winter Value

Salad burnet is evergreen in mild climates, providing fresh herbs when little else is available. Even after frost, new leaves continue to appear. This made it invaluable before refrigeration and global food transport.

Growing Salad Burnet

This is an easy, undemanding perennial. It self-sows readily. Remove flower heads to encourage leaf production and prevent excessive spreading. It tolerates poor soil and drought. The attractive foliage looks good in herb gardens or as edging.

Growing Salad Burnet