| "Salad Burnet is an attractive little herb that grows quite willingly in my garden. It has unusual blossoms - crimson-tufted flowers that form little balls, and round, tooth-edged leaves that are carried upright on delicate stems. It has an exquisite cucumber taste that blends wonderfully with salad greens. Unlike that 'other' cucumber herb, Borage, Salad Burnet has leaves that are thin, smooth, and not the least bit hairy." "This member of the rose family (Rosaceae) is another herb that appears to be more popular in European than North American gardens. It is widely used in German, Italian and French cuisine. Even the Brits like it - John Evelyn, the English herbalist, remarked that it was "...a very common and ordinary sallet furniture"." "In the Newe Herball, 1551, Salad Burnet was described as having "... two little lieves like unto the wings of birdes, standing out as the bird setteth her wings out when she intended to flye..." Sounds delicate, but this hardy perennial is actually one of the earliest herbs available in spring. It was thought to have protective powers against the Plauge and other contagious diseases, as well as effective medicine against rheumatism and gout - heavy duty stuff for a delicate-looking herb. Nowadays herbalists use Salad Burnet for its astringent properties." "This plant is very easy to propagate from seed, or from root division. Start seedlings 4-6 weeks before planting outside in early spring. Plants can also be purchased from nurseries or garden centres. Mature plants will reach a height of 12 - 24".
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