Brunnera
Brunnera macrophylla
flowerBrunnera (Brunnera macrophylla), or Siberian bugloss, is a rhizomatous, clump-forming shade perennial about 1 to 1.5 ft tall and a bit wider. In early to mid-spring it floats airy sprays of tiny blue, white-eyed flowers that look just like forget-me-nots above bold, heart-shaped leaves. The plain green species is handsome, but the silver-patterned cultivars such as Jack Frost are the real prize, lighting up shady corners with metallic foliage from spring through fall. It is deer and rabbit resistant and an excellent groundcover for moist shade.
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Sun
partial shade
💧
Water
Every 4 days
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Bloom
~40 days
📊
Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
↔️
Spacing
12-24 in apart
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Planting Depth
Set the crown at the soil line
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Fertile, moist, well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 8
When to Fertilize
Light feeding in early spring
Fertilizer
Balanced or compost; low needs
🌱 Growing Guide
Grow brunnera in partial to full shade with protection from afternoon sun, in fertile, consistently moist, well-drained soil; it is intolerant of dry soil, where the leaves scorch. Keep it evenly moist and mulch to hold moisture and keep roots cool. It is an easy, low-maintenance plant in the right spot but does poorly in the heat and humidity of the deep Southeast. Cut back any tired or scorched foliage in summer to flush fresh leaves. Propagate by division in spring or fall; note that named silver cultivars are often patented, so propagate only for personal use.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first bloom
May 25
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Hosta — A classic shade partner with contrasting bold foliage and the same moisture needs
- Fern — Fine-textured contrast that shares the cool, moist shade
- Astilbe — Adds plumes of color above the brunnera foliage in moist shade
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
🌸 Blooms & cutting
Brunnera is grown as a foliage groundcover, not for harvest. The main task is to shear off any scorched or tattered leaves in summer to bring on a fresh flush, and to divide clumps in spring or fall to renew them and spread the planting. The delicate flower sprays can be cut for tiny arrangements.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Brunnera is an ornamental, not edible. Its value is long-season silver foliage and early blue flowers that brighten moist shade, plus a tough, deer-resistant, weed-suppressing habit. Have a different variety? Cultivars of the same species share the same basic care, so this guide still applies even if your exact leaf pattern is not shown.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.