How to Grow Brunnera
Brunnera macrophylla
Brunnera is a shade-loving perennial prized for its sprays of forget-me-not-blue flowers in spring and its bold, often silver-variegated foliage. Plant in moist, humus-rich soil in partial or full shade. It needs very little attention once established — just remove spent flower stems and tidy foliage in late autumn. Variegated cultivars need more shelter and moisture than the plain green species. Fully hardy throughout the UK.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Mulch with compost in spring. Prefers moist, humus-rich soil.
Watch For
- Slugs
- Leaf scorch in full sun
Companions
Hostas, Ferns, Hellebores, Pulmonaria
Track your Brunnera care schedule — pruning, feeding, and seasonal tasks
Start planning freeCare Requirements
☀️ Light
Partial to full shade; avoid hot sun
Partial to full shade is ideal. Avoid hot, sunny positions which cause leaf scorch, especially on variegated cultivars like 'Jack Frost'. Morning sun with afternoon shade works well.
🌿 Spacing
45cm apart; spreads to form ground cover
Space plants 45cm apart. Brunnera spreads steadily to form excellent ground cover under trees and shrubs.
💧 Watering
Keep moist; variegated forms need extra moisture
Prefers moist, humus-rich soil. Water during dry spells to prevent leaf scorch. Variegated forms need more consistent moisture than the plain green species.
🌱 Fertilizing
Compost mulch in spring; rarely needs extra feed
Mulch with compost in spring to retain moisture and add organic matter. Additional feeding is rarely needed in good garden soil.
✂️ Pruning
Remove spent flowers; tidy foliage in late autumn
Remove spent flower stems after blooming to keep the plant tidy. Cut back tatty foliage in late autumn. Fresh foliage emerges strongly the following spring.
Growing Tips
Shade and moisture
Thrives in partial to full shade with moist, humus-rich soil. Avoid hot, dry positions.
Deadhead after flowering
Remove spent flower stems after blooming to keep the plant tidy and direct energy into foliage.
Extra care for variegated types
Variegated forms like 'Jack Frost' need more shelter and moisture than the plain species to look their best.
Great ground cover
Makes excellent ground cover under trees and shrubs, spreading steadily to fill gaps.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Slugs and Snails
Identification: Irregular holes in leaves; slime trails visible on and around plants, especially in the morning. Variegated cultivars seem particularly targeted
- Use beer traps or copper tape barriers
- Apply organic slug pellets (ferric phosphate)
- Encourage hedgehogs, frogs, and ground beetles
- Apply slug pellets containing ferric phosphate around plants in spring
Pest Vine Weevil
Identification: Characteristic U-shaped notches on leaf margins from adult feeding at night; creamy-white C-shaped grubs in the root zone
- Apply biological control nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) in late summer when soil is warm
- Check root zones when dividing or repotting and destroy any grubs
- Encourage ground beetles and hedgehogs
- Drench containers with a systemic insecticide containing acetamiprid in late summer
Disease Leaf Scorch
Symptoms: Leaf margins turn brown and crispy, progressing inward; whole leaves may shrivel in severe cases. Variegated cultivars are particularly susceptible
Treatment: Water deeply and mulch to conserve moisture. Move plants to a shadier position if possible
Prevention: Plant in partial to full shade with moist, humus-rich soil. Mulch thickly and water during dry spells. Shelter variegated forms from wind
Disease Downy Mildew Peronospora spp.
Symptoms: Yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces with corresponding grey-purple fuzzy growth on the undersides; leaves may wilt and die
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Improve air circulation around plants
Prevention: Avoid overhead watering. Ensure good spacing and airflow. Remove plant debris in autumn
Log Brunnera in your garden — track growth, care, and harvests year after year
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