Brunnera

Brunnera macrophylla

Siberian bugloss (great forget-me-not)

• Position: partial shade
• Soil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil
• Flowering period: April-May
• Height : 35-40cm
• Foliage: deciduous
• Hardiness: fully hardy

Brunnera macrophylla is grown for its sprays of small forget-me-not flowers and attractive, heart-shaped leaves. This low-growing perennial also makes excellent ground cover. So it’s ideal for the low-maintenance garden.

Brunnera macrophylla performs best in partial shade.

Varieties

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Looking Glass’

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Looking Glass’ bears striking, soft silvery-green leaves with blue flowers from April to May, with leaves which are intensely patterned with silver.

Brunnera ‘Sea Heart’

Brunnera ‘Sea Heart’ and ‘Jack Frost’ will light up a dark corner of the garden.

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Haspen Cream’

Another to try is Brunnera macrophylla ‘Haspen Cream’ whose mid-green leaves have lovely creamy-white margins.

Pruning

Pruning macrophylla (Siberian bugloss). Cut back the faded flower stalks after flowering. If the foliage looks tatty later in the growing season, you can cut it back near ground level. New fresh leaves will emerge.

Remove the dying foliage in late autumn.

Brunnera m. ‘Sea Heart’                         Brunnera m. ‘Looking Glass’

Care

Some varieties self-seed easily, especially Brunnera macrophylla. If you don’t want seedlings, remove the spent flowers immediately after flowering.

Plant combination

Brunnera macrophylla looks lovely when grown with Carex, Vinca minor, Dicentra spectabilis, Prumula vulgaris,

Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’