Plant profile
- Botanical name: Sanguisorba officinalis
- Order: Rosales (rose-like)
- Family: Rosaceae (rose family)
- Subfamily: Rosoideae
- Genus: Sanguisorba (Wiesenknopf)
- Type: Large meadow button
- Growth type: rhizome-forming perennial
- Height: 30 to 120 centimeters
- Spread: 60 to 75 centimeters
- Foliage: Narrowly toothed, lush green
- Flower color: red
- Flowering period: July to August
- Flower shape: spike-like flower heads
- Fruits: Brown, very small nuts
Natural occurrence:
The Great Wiesenknopf thrives in the wild in Europe, Asia and Japan. The extremely adaptable plant can be found here on poor meadows as well as on moist, nutrient-rich green spaces.
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Location and soil
The large Wiesenknopf prefers a partially shaded to sunny location. The substrate should not be too dry and rich in humus.
Planting and care
The Großer Wiesenknopf is pleasantly easy to care for and completely hardy. The perennials are extremely robust and thrive without much effort.
You can sow the Great Wiesenknopf directly in the field yourself. The months of March and June or August to September are ideal for this. Give it a place in the bed where the Great Meadow Button can grow undisturbed for many years, as it forms long tap roots. It harmonizes very well with late blooming, half-high flowering perennials.
Watering and fertilizing
The Großer Wiesenknopf can even cope with dry periods. Nevertheless, you should occasionally water plants cultivated in the bed in summer. It is fertilized with an organic fertilizer such as compost or a perennial fertilizer with a long-term effect.
The big button in the kitchen
The young leaves of the Großer Wiesenknopf are a tasty addition to salads. They also do very well in herb butter and herb quark. The inflorescences are also edible and add color to the dishes.
In the past, the large Wiesenknopf was a must in every medicine cabinet. You can use the leaves fresh until September. About three teaspoons of the green, poured with hot water and allowed to steep for ten minutes, make an aromatic tea. It can have antibacterial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and is used in naturopathy for diarrhea and inflammation of the mucous membranes.
Tips
The flowers of the Great Wiesenknopf are wonderfully suitable as long-lasting cut flowers. They go very well in loosely arranged, natural bouquets.
