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Brunnera
Brunnera macrophylla
Also called siberian bugloss
Brunnera blooms from April through May.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Brunnera
Plant it in part shade. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 3–8. Expect it to reach about 1.3 ft tall and 1.6 ft wide at maturity, in roughly 2 years.
When to plant Brunnera
Plant Brunnera in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in early fall at least six weeks before your first frost, so roots establish in cool weather. For the middle of its hardy zones 3 to 8 range, spring means April to June and fall means August or September. Once settled, it blooms from April to May.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 5 in April.
Good to know about Brunnera
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Worth knowing
Though named for its blue forget-me-not flowers, Brunnera is grown mainly for bold heart-shaped leaves; cultivars like 'Jack Frost' hold frosted silver foliage from spring into fall. per NC State
Warm-end zone limit
Very cold hardy to zone 3, but the warm limit is soft: NC State lists zones 3 to 8, Chicago Botanic caps it at 7, since summer heat sets it. per NC State and Chicago Botanic
Scorches in sun or drought
In hot sun or dry soil the leaves scorch and edges brown; scorched plants can be cut back and will reflush from the crown. per Wisconsin
Deer and rabbit resistant
Reliably deer and rabbit resistant: the coarse, hairy, textured leaves deter browsing. per NC State
Main pest is slugs
Largely pest-free; the one regular nuisance is slugs and snails, drawn by the same cool, moist shade the plant favors. per RHS
Early nectar for bees
The early spring blue flowers draw bees and also butterflies, a modest early-season nectar source. per Chicago Botanic
What pairs well with Brunnera
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Goatsbeard
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in early summer as this one finishes; taller at 3.9 ft, for the layer behind it; both offer pollinator forage, in different months.
Spiderwort
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; blooms in early summer as this one finishes; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; echoes the blue.
Witch Hazel
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; blooms in late winter, before this one opens; stands well above at 9.8 ft, a canopy to plant beneath; both offer pollinator forage, in different months.
Northern Sea Oats
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in midsummer, extending the bed's season; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; taller at 3.3 ft, for the layer behind it.
Lobelia
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into early fall; both offer pollinator forage; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border.
Summersweet
Shares part shade and moderate to high water; blooms in midsummer, extending the bed's season; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; taller at 5.9 ft, for the layer behind it.
Bigleaf Hydrangea
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate to high water; blooms in early summer as this one finishes; taller at 4.9 ft, for the layer behind it; both offer pollinator forage, in different months.
Flowering Tobacco
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; blooms in early summer as this one finishes; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; a soft color beside the blue.
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