Heartleaf Brunnera

You recognize heartleaf brunnera by its distinctive heart-shaped, dark green, basal foliage that remains attractive throughout the growing season. In spring, 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 inches tall. The plants slowly spread by creeping rhizomes to form thick mounds. Several cultivars offer variegated leaves with silver markings or cream-white margins; 'Jack Frost' displays silver-patterned foliage, while 'Sterling Silver' and 'Looking Glass' offer silvery or cream-edged leaves that brighten shady areas.

Brunnera prefers consistently moist, organically rich, well-drained soil in partial to full shade, with protection from afternoon sun. Mulch the soil to keep it cooler and retain moisture. The plant tolerates some dryness better than many cultivars but generally performs poorly in dry soils; foliage may scorch in hot summer sun. It prefers cool summers and will not perform well in the hot, humid conditions of the deep South. Plants may self-seed in optimum growing conditions, though seedlings of variegated forms may not be true to type. Divide clumps in spring or fall.