Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'
Common Name(s):
Largeleaf Brunnera
Siberian Bugloss
Synonym:
Anchusa myosotidifora
False forget-me-not
Flower:
Blue
Blooms :
Apr
to:
May
Small, blue, forget-me-not-like flowers with white centers bloom in airy, branched racemes rising well above the foliage on slender stems to 18" tall in spring.
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
NO
Family:
Boraginaceae
Herbaceous Plant, Perennial
Foliage:
Gray-Green
Basal leaves green heart shaped form a foliage mound which remains attractive throughout the growing season. Smaller upper leaves are elliptic.
Fall Color?
YES
The attractive foliage remains through fall
Deciduous
Photo by:
Heading 6
Oregon Native?
NO
West State Native?
NO
Origins:
Hybrid with parentage from Caucasus
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
3
Water Needs:
M
Sun Needs:
Shade
Deer Resistant?
YES
Firewise?
YES
Height:
12-18"
Spread:
18-30"
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
A cultivar so has no native habitat
Soil:
Prefers consistently moist, organically rich soils in shady areas. Generally intolerant of dry soils, but tolerates some dryness better than most other cultivars of this species.
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
The best fertilizer is incorpoating rich organic matter
Mulch:
Shredded leaves, compost or well-rotted bark
Clumps slowly spread by creeping rhizomes to form thick ground covers. Plants may self seed in optimum growing conditions, but seedlings of variegated forms may not come, may lose variegation
Long Term:
Winter:
Let the foliage die back naturally, add mulch if not done in fall, ensure soil is moist and well-drained
Spring:
Cut back any old tattered foliage, ensure soil remains consistently moist, apply a 1-2" layer of organic mulch, apply a balanced slow-release fertiliaer, can divide if needed
Summer:
Make sure soil in evenly moist amd well-drained, has part to full shade, a 2" layer of organic mulch, strip any dead, damaged or scorched leaves, watch for pests
Fall:
Do not prune too early, add fresh mulch, can divide, ensure soil is moist
General Care Comments:
Plant in partial to full shade, water consistently, soil must be well-drained, rich humusy
Common Problems
Plants may self seed in optimum growing conditions.
Diseases:
Bacterial leaf spot, root rot
Insects:
Aphids, spider mites
Environmental Problems:
Foliage may scorch in hot summer sun.
Pests:
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