Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla) or Siberian Bugloss is also known as the False Forget-Me-Not due to its dainty blue flower sprays in springtime. The flowers are pretty, but the real reason you want this plant in your garden is that it is a perennial workhorse with many positive attributes. In fact, it was named Perennial Plant of the Year in 2012.
This plant’s foliage is rough-textured and heart-shaped. The hairy texture of the leaves makes it deer- and rabbit-resistant. It is not a native plant to the Mid-Atlantic USA, but it is well-behaved and expands in a clump that can be divided and moved about every few years.
The only maintenance need is a fresh application of organic mulch in early spring and to cut back the spent flowers, unless you want the plant to seed about a bit.
Brunnera needs to be kept well-watered in its first year, but after
that is quite drought-tolerant--making it a good choice for dry shade
locations. It is also a great
alternative or companion to other shade-loving foliage plants like hostas,
heucheras, and caladiums.
The old-fashioned Brunnera is straight-green, while the newer cultivars have a silver sheen or white variegation to their
leaves that makes this plant shine in deep shade. These include ‘Jack Frost’, ‘Looking
Glass’, and ‘Silver Heart.’ There is
even a chartreuse version named ‘Diane’s Gold’.
This versatile plant is a good groundcover as well as container plant.
Brunnera - You Can Grow That!
The video was produced
by Washington Gardener Magazine.
Visuals by Khloe Quill
Audio by Kathy Jentz
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I love the white/silver leaves on the brunnera at the beginning of the video. That really would stand out in the shade!
ReplyDeleteIt does! I have mine under a huge Oak tree and it definitely steals the show from the nearby variegated hostas :-).
DeleteSuch a versatile plant in the landscape! I just got my first plant for my own garden after planting a couple types in different gardens. The flowers are so dainty and pretty :)
ReplyDeleteLet us know how it does for you.
DeleteReading about Brunnera’s resilience and beauty makes me think how important it is to find the right spot for planting—just like when searching for the perfect Plots for Sale in Yamuna Expressway, where the land offers great potential for creating a thriving garden or home space. A well-chosen location truly makes all the difference.
ReplyDelete