There is a large patch of Sanguisorba hakusanensis planted to the west of the Garden in F05. Looking at the flowers sitting atop the foliage they could be crawling with hairy pink worms. The compressed, cylindrical flower bud erratically bursts with 18mm long filaments and then becomes a thing of beauty when fully developed at c. 80mm length. The stigma is held slightly below, not being as long as the filaments.

There is a slight scent to the vivid pink flower terminating the spikes which are freely produced. The foliage which has a grey reverse and perfectly serrated edge emerges with the leaflets folded together, with maturity opening flat.

A member of the Rosaceae family this species is native to Japan and Korea. It has been collected from Mount Chiri at 1300m where a humid atmosphere and an average annual rainfall of 1300mm provide good growing conditions.

Sanguisorba hokusanensis

Sanguisorba hokusanensis