Brunnera 'Alexander's Great'

Brunnera 'Alexander’s Great': Giant-Leafed Silver Drift

Dramatic and refined, Brunnera 'Alexander’s Great' is a statement-making shade perennial prized for its enormous, heart-shaped silver leaves veined with deep green. The foliage alone earns attention, but in spring, it’s adorned with a cloud of delicate blue forget-me-not flowers that hover above the mound like a mist. It’s bold yet elegant, offering season-long texture in part to full shade. Slugs tend to ignore it, and it keeps its presence long after many spring bloomers have faded.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 40–50 cm
• Spread: 60–75 cm
• Flower Colour: Soft blue
• Flowering Period: April to May
• Foliage: Silvery-white with deep green veining, oversized and heart-shaped
• Sunlight Requirements: Partial to full shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, rich organic soil

Uses and Benefits: 'Alexander’s Great' thrives in woodland borders, shade gardens, and underplantings for shrubs and trees. It’s particularly impactful en masse or along paths where its shimmering foliage can be fully appreciated. It resists deer, tolerates humidity, and provides long-lasting beauty through the season—ideal for softening shaded corners with texture and luminosity.

Companion Plants: Pair Brunnera 'Alexander’s Great' with Athyrium 'Ghost', Helleborus 'Ivory Prince', and Tiarella 'Sugar and Spice' for a stunning shade composition full of foliage drama, seasonal bloom, and textural contrast.

Care Instructions: Plant in humus-rich, consistently moist soil in part to full shade. Water regularly during dry spells. Clean up tattered leaves in spring before new growth emerges. This variety forms clumps and spreads slowly—divide every few years if needed.

History: A selection from breeder Alexander Zukeivich, 'Alexander’s Great' is a tetraploid sport of Brunnera 'Jack Frost', valued for its extra-large foliage and robust habit. It offers all the brilliance of its parent with an even grander presence in the shade garden.

Final Thoughts: With luminous foliage and forget-me-not blooms, Brunnera 'Alexander’s Great' is a cornerstone perennial for shade—elevating the understory with bold texture, timeless colour, and dependable charm.