Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Sanguisorba hakusanensis 'Lilac Squirrel'
Lilac Squirrel Burnet
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Height
- 24 to 36 inches
- Width
- 18 to 24 inches
- Flower color
- Long, fluffy lilac-pink catkins
- Foliage color
- Green, fern-like
- Bloom time
- Summer
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; may need support or staking
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 8
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees and butterflies
About this plant
Sanguisorba hakusanensis 'Lilac Squirrel' is a distinctive perennial admired for its long, drooping, lilac-pink flower spikes that bloom in mid to late summer. The fluffy, bottlebrush-like flowers gracefully sway in the breeze, adding movement and texture to garden spaces. The blooms gradually fade as the season progresses, but they remain ornamental well into autumn, offering extended visual interest.
Originating from East Asia, particularly Korea and Japan, 'Lilac Squirrel' has been cultivated for its unique, whimsical appearance and robust performance in garden settings. Its unusual flower shape and soft color make it a captivating choice for mixed borders, meadow-style plantings, or naturalistic landscapes, where its elegant blooms can add a touch of charm and softness.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Cut Flower Gardens
Companion plants
Ferns · Astilbes · Foxgloves · Bergenias · Sedums · Columbines
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
