Brunnera
Brunnera macrophylla
Brunnera is a shade perennial grown for its large, heart-shaped leaves, often beautifully silvered, and its dainty sprays of sky-blue, forget-me-not-like flowers in spring. It is a standout foliage plant for woodland and shady borders.
- Light
- Part to full shade
- Water
- Regular; keep evenly moist
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla), also called Siberian bugloss or false forget-me-not, is a clump-forming perennial in the borage family. While its airy blue spring flowers resemble true forget-me-nots, it is the foliage that has made it a garden star.
Many cultivars, such as 'Jack Frost,' feature large heart-shaped leaves heavily overlaid with silver between green veins, brightening shady corners all season long.
It is a tough, long-lived plant that asks for little once established in the right shady, moist spot.
How to identify it
Heart-shaped silver-marked leaves and blue flowers identify it.
- Flowers: Small, five-petaled, sky-blue, forget-me-not-like blooms in loose airy sprays in spring
- Leaves: Large, heart-shaped, rough-textured, often frosted or veined with silver
- Habit: Mounding clumps usually 12-18 in tall and wide
- Bloom time: Mid to late spring
Care & growing
Easy in cool shade.
- Light: Partial to full shade; silver-leaved types especially dislike hot sun, which scorches them
- Water: Regular; keep soil consistently moist, never bone dry
- Soil: Rich, humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil
- Temperature: Hardy in USDA zones 3-8
- Feeding: A spring compost mulch is sufficient
- Propagation: Division in spring; note that variegated and silvered types are best from division, not seed
- Tip: Remove tattered leaves through the season to keep the clump fresh
Habitat & origin
Brunnera is native to the woodlands of the Caucasus region of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, where it grows in cool, moist, shaded forest soils.
It is widely grown as a shade groundcover and foliage accent in woodland gardens and shady borders across temperate climates.
Uses & benefits
Primarily a foliage ornamental for shade.
- Brightens shade as a groundcover and foliage accent, with silver-leaved forms lighting up dark corners
- Early nectar source for spring pollinators
- Pairs beautifully with hostas, ferns, and other woodland companions
- Generally deer and rabbit resistant
- Non-toxic and safe around pets and children
Frequently asked questions
Is brunnera the same as forget-me-not?
No, though the flowers look alike. Brunnera is called false forget-me-not; it's a longer-lived perennial with much bigger, often silver-marked leaves.
Why are my brunnera leaves scorching?
Too much sun or dry soil. Silver-leaved varieties especially need shade and steady moisture to keep their foliage crisp and unblemished.
Can I grow brunnera from seed?
Plain species can self-sow, but the prized silver-leaved cultivars don't come true from seed and should be propagated by division.
Is brunnera deer resistant?
Yes, its rough, hairy leaves are generally unappealing to deer and rabbits, making it useful in browsed gardens.
Brunnera guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Brunnera.
