Brunnera macrophylla 'SILVER HEART'

Brunnera or Siberian bugloss is an attractive woodland perrenial with showy foliage, suitable especially for garden enthusiasts who look for the beauty of leaves rather than flowers. The leaves are rounded to heart-shaped and if cultivated in a mass they provide an excellent and lush groundcover under tall multistemmed shrubs or trees.

Silver Heart is a Siberian bugloss variety discovered by Peter Jan Willemsen in 2010 producing large, softly hairy, broadly heart-shaped, up to 20 cm wide leaves. Their colour is brilliant silver within almost entire surface of the leaves expect for dark green veins and margins.

In mid spring, commonly late April in zone 6, appear small, sky blue, forget-me-not-like flowers on thin stems 20-30 cm tall, in thin, cyme-like panicles for almost two months. They look best in mass plantings and as the plant is a slow grower we suggest planting in densely, e.g. 5-6 plants per square meter. It is not invasive nor travels around the garden with runners nor seeds itself off. Patent No. PP24685 was granted in 2014.

Brunnera does best in semi-shade or full shade with sufficient moisture. It needs cool, humus-rich, well-drained, moist soil. Feeding will enhance foliage size and density but is not required. Fully hardy to -40 °C (USDA zone 3). Suitable for growing in a pot, too.

Last update 08-07-2021