July 6, 2016

Plant Files: Brunnera macrophylla


After gushing about this a few weeks ago, when I was talking about my shade bed, I thought I had better make an official Plant File entry for it!


Scientific name: brunnera macrophylla (this one is variety 'Jack Frost')
Common names: Siberian bugloss, false forget-me-not, heart-leaf brunnera
Cold Hardiness: USDA zones 3-8
12-18" tall and wide

Several websites say that it is deer resistant, though I have not had the opportunity to test that one out yet. Slugs don't seem to bother it, like they do the hostas.
Compared to hostas, the plant and the leaves themselves are much smaller.

It prefers shade, though apparently it can grow in sun with increased watering.
Once established it's very drought tolerant, as I have come to appreciate!
If you have read my post about my shade bed, you will know that I love this little plant!

The tiny blue blooms in mid-spring are simply charming and last for about a month.
Then the rest of the year it survives dry shade that kills off nearly everything else.
It is really a gem!

p.s. One site even taught me how to pronounce it:
BRUN-er-ah, emphasis on the first syllable.
Good to know.

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