This year, with 431 total
nominees, the prestigious
Perennial Plant of the Year
award has been bestowed upon
one of last year’s runner
ups; Brunnera macrophylla
‘Jack Frost’.
Description
The heart shaped leaves of
‘Jack Frost’ are
dark green with a heavily
frosted metallic silver overlay
which allow only the green
veining to peep through giving
the plant a crackle-like finish.
Sprays of bright blue forget-me-not
like flowers spring forth
in mid to late spring.
Use
Excellent in a woodland garden,
the genus Brunnera is a group
of classic perennials valued
as a shade tolerant ground
cover. The variegated forms
are slower to spread than
the species. This plant is
fabulous as a specimen plant
or may be massed to show off
it’s phonomnal floral
display. ‘Jack Frost’
would make a wonderful addition
to a shady containers garden.
The flowers are long-lasting
when cut and this plant is
deer and rabbit resistant.
Care
Brunnera is a woodland plant
that should be grown in full
shade and consistently moist
soil in southern regions.
In the north, morning sun
is acceptable as long as the
soil remains moist. Although
tolerant of many soil types,
this plant will grow best
rich soil. Little care is
needed once Brunnera is established.
Cut back the old foliage in
the spring rather than in
the fall; it will help to
protect the crown during the
winter. A winter mulch is
also recommended.
