This shade-loving perennial has striking foliage and is covered with tiny flowers in the spring.
Heartleaf brunnerais a low-growing, clump-forming perennial that boasts clouds of tiny, sky-blue flowers from early to midspring.
In ideal conditions, it continues to bloom through early summer.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
The flowers looksimilar to forget-me-not, hence the nickname false forget-me-not.
Another attractive feature of the plant is its striking heart-shaped green foliage.
There are popular variations with silvered foliage that is almost iridescent and gleams in the shade.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
As a bonus, the foliage of heartleaf brunnera is so hairy that its avoided by deer and rabbits.
Brunnera gained popularity among home gardeners after the cultivar Jack Frost was named Perennial of the Year in 2012.
Where to Plant Heartleaf Brunnera
Pick a location with partial shade and moist but well-drained soil.
Combine heartleaf brunnera with other shade-loving perennials.
The species with its handsome, solid green leaves partners well with other plants that have more vibrant foliage.
Dig a hole about twice the diameter of the nursery pot and about the same depth.
Place the plant in the hole and fill in original soil to the top of the root ball.
Gently tamp down the soil.
Space plants 12 to 24 inches apart.
Light
The light requirements of brunnera vary depending on leaf bang out and color.
Generally a shade plant, some varieties benefit from some morning sun that promote colorful foliage and more flowers.
Soil and Water
The soil should be rich in organic matter and well-drained.
Brunnera grows in abroad pH range from 6.0 to 8.0.
Water the plant during the first growing season, or until it is established.
After that, brunnera tolerates occasional droughts, especially when situated in cool, shady spots.
Temperature and Humidity
Heartleaf brunnera is a winter-hardy plant.
The heat tolerance depends on the variety.
Silver-leaf brunneras handle heat and humidity better than types with leaves of other colors.
Brunnera may struggle in regions with hot, humid summers.
double-check you plant a variety suitable for your climate conditions.
Fertilizer
Brunnera is not a heavy feeder.
Applying acomplete balanced slow-release fertilizeronce a year in the spring when the growing season starts is sufficient.
Pruning
Promptly remove unsightly foliage and spent flower heads to maintain a tidy look.
Removing damaged or diseased leaves encourages regrowth and improves the plants overall health.
Potting and Repotting Heartleaf Brunnera
Heartleaf brunnera can be grown in a pot with large drainage holes.
Fill it with a combination of well-draining potting mix and compost.
Keep in mind that potted plants require more frequent watering and fertilization than plants in the landscape.
To overwinter potted heartleaf brunnera, additional protective measures are required.
The roots of container plants are exposed to the cold.
Pests and Problems
Brunnera is not affected by major pests and diseases.
The plants may attract aphids, slugs, and snails.
In ideal soil conditions, heartleaf brunnera spreads very slowly via underground rhizomes to create large clumps.
Dig out the clump and separate it into smaller sections.
They are covered with a silvery white frosting interrupted by dark green veins and margins.
The tiny light blue flowers in midspring last for three to four weeks.
Jack Frost grows into mounds 18 inches tall and wide.
Each emerging leaf spirals open into the shape of a teardrop.
The plant height is about 14 inches.
The leaves have a heavy silver overlay and dark green veining pattern.
The flowers are baby-blue.
Zone 3-8
‘Sea Heart’
Two characteristics make this variety stand out.
The flowers are multicolored, they are white and blue when they open, then mature to lavender-purple.
In cooler climates, it tolerates full sun, provided it has a constant supply of moisture.
In drier sites, however, the leaves will scorch in full sun.
Even if astilbes never bloomed, it’s worth planting them merely for their handsome foliage.
In spring, new foliage often emerges bright green with blushes of bronze.
Some varieties hold that color all year long, and others offer deep chocolate/burgundy foliage.
Zone 4-8
Coral Bells
What is true for astilbe also applies to coral bells.
It is a low-growing native plant that thrives in moist, shady places.
It has better heat tolerance than European wild ginger.
Sometimes it also reseeds itself.
Simply pull them like you would any weeds and compost them.
The plant is a herbaceous perennial whose foliage dies back in the fall and reemerges the following spring.
