September Plant of the Month

Brunnera macrophylla / Siberian bugloss

Brunnera, a member of the Boraginaceae family is native to Eastern Europe. The common Siberian bugloss is a clump-forming perennial featuring small, forget-me-not-like flowers that are light blue with yellow centers, in airy, branched racemes rising well above the foliage on slender stems. The leaves are broadly heart-shaped, about three to five inches wide. Brunnera is generally considered to be an easy-to-grow perennial that prefers average soils and moist, well-drained conditions. Most varieties prefer full or partial shade. Clumps spread slowly by both creeping rhizomes and self-seeding to form thick ground covers. The word Bugloss is of Greek origin and means ox tongue, probably in reference to the roughness and shape of the leaves.

Brunnera is not susceptible to any serious disease or insect problems. It can be used as a specimen plant or mass planted as a ground cover. This is a good perennial for woodland gardens and naturalized areas.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Betty Bowring'
'Betty Bowring' is a superb variety, featuring delicate sprays of small white flowers on narrow stems that are held clear of the foliage on long narrow stems. The flowers emerge in early spring and grow taller as the foliage matures. Although repeat blooming is common, the dark green heart-shaped foliage provides its own interest to the summer garden. Maximum height is 18 inches.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Hadspen Cream'
'Hadspen Cream' features light blue flowers in April and May but it is particularly noted for its large (up to 8") leaves that are bright green in color with irregular creamy white margins. It prefers part shade to shady areas and is intolerant of mid-afternoon sun, especially during the warmer summer months. This is an excellent choice to add a splash of bright color to the shade garden and a great spring bulb companion. Divide when the center of the plant begins to deteriorate. Hardy in zones 3 to 8.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Variegata'

Brunnera macrophylla 'Variegata'
'Variegata' features large green leaves with bold white margins and clear blue forget-me-not-like flowers in the early spring. Prefers partial to full shade and is intolerant of hot sunny locations or drought conditions. Little maintenance is required once established in the garden. Hardy in zones 3 to 7.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Dawson's White'

Brunnera macrophylla 'Dawson's White'
Noted for its broad, bright white margins and green centered foliage, 'Dawson's White' also features clear-blue foliage in early spring. Although this selection is considered to be somewhat more tolerant to sun burning than other varieties, it still prefers cool, moist and shady locations. Maximum height of 15 inches, forming two-foot wide clumps, this plant is ideal as either a specimen plant or used in mass plantings. Hardy in zones 4 to 8.