Brunnera macrophylla

Brunnera macrophylla: Spring’s Woodland Workhorse

Timeless and dependable, Brunnera macrophylla—often called Siberian bugloss—brings early beauty and lasting structure to the shade garden. In mid-spring, sprays of bright sky-blue, forget-me-not-like flowers rise above a dense clump of broad, heart-shaped green leaves. The foliage remains lush well into the season, creating a textural foundation beneath trees, along borders, or in layered shade plantings. Cold-hardy and deer-resistant, it thrives in cool, moist soil and requires minimal care once established.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 30–45 cm
• Spread: 45–60 cm, forming a full, mounded clump
• Flower Colour: Bright sky blue
• Flowering Period: Mid to late spring
• Foliage: Large, heart-shaped leaves; rich green with a coarse texture
• Sunlight Requirements: Part shade to full shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil; tolerates clay and dry shade once established

Uses and Benefits: Brunnera macrophylla is ideal for anchoring shaded borders, softening woodland paths, or naturalizing under deciduous trees. Its early flowers feed spring pollinators, and its broad leaves offer a striking counterpoint to ferns, grasses, and finer textures. It performs well in dry shade once established, making it a valuable solution for tricky areas with high ornamental payoff.

Companion Plants: Pair with the silvery-purple fronds of Athyrium 'Regal Red', the delicate rose-toned blooms of Epimedium grandiflorum 'Roseum', and the variegated groundcover charm of Lamium 'Orchid Frost' for a multi-layered, bloom-to-foliage planting that thrives in part to full shade.

Care Instructions: Plant in part to full shade in consistently moist, well-drained soil. Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Cut back tired foliage in late summer or early spring. Divide every 3–4 years in early spring to maintain plant vigour and clump density.

History: Native to the woodlands of Eastern Europe and western Siberia, Brunnera macrophylla has been cherished in temperate gardens for generations. Valued for its spring bloom and reliable foliage, it has also given rise to many popular variegated cultivars—but remains beloved in its classic, unadorned form.

Final Thoughts: Quietly showy and consistently reliable, Brunnera macrophylla is a must-have for shade gardens—bringing early colour, bold texture, and long-lasting foliage to the woodland palette.