Sanguisorba officinalis 'Japan' - 2026

Sanguisorba officinalis 'Japan' is a graceful, clump-forming perennial that bears airy, bottlebrush-like spikes of rich red flowers from midsummer into early autumn. The fine-textured flower heads sit above a neat mound of pinnate, fresh green foliage and lend a soft, meadow-like movement to the border as their stems sway in the breeze. The overall effect is elegant and naturalistic, making 'Japan' an excellent choice for cottage gardens, mixed perennial beds and damp or waterside borders where its vertical flower spikes provide contrast with broader-leaved companions. The plant’s habit remains tidy between seasons, offering both summer drama and autumn interest from spent flowerheads.

Beyond its ornamental appeal, this cultivar is highly valued for wildlife-friendly planting: the nectar-rich blooms attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects through the late season, while the seedheads offer interest for garden birds. It prefers moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil and succeeds in full sun to partial shade; once established it is low-maintenance, responding well to a trim after flowering and performing particularly well in damp borders, near ponds or in pollinator mixes.