Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian Bugloss)

Why Should I Grow Siberian Bugloss?

Garden Design with Siberian Bugloss

Designing a garden with Siberian Bugloss offers opportunities to create a tranquil and beautiful shade garden. Here are some ideas:

• Foliage Focus: Brunnera’s striking variegated foliage is its main attraction, and it stays attractive all season long. Use it as a ground cover under shade-loving shrubs or trees, or plant it in drifts to create a sea of silvery-green foliage that lights up the shade.
• Woodland Gardens: Brunnera is a natural fit in woodland gardens. Its delicate, sky-blue flowers and heart-shaped leaves work well with ferns, hostas, and other woodland plants. Plant them along a woodland walkway for an enchanting atmosphere.
• Container Planting: Brunnera’s compact growth habit makes it a great choice for container gardens, where its attractive foliage can be appreciated up close. Combine with other shade-loving plants that contrast or complement its leaf color and shape, such as Heuchera or Begonia.
• Borders and Edging: Plant Brunnera along the edges of paths or borders in your shade garden. Their silver leaves create a wonderful contrast to darker plants or those with solid green foliage.
• Waterside Planting: If you have a pond or stream, Brunnera is an excellent choice for waterside planting. It prefers moist soils and can thrive near water bodies, providing a charming view.

Companion Plants

Brunnera pairs well with other shade-tolerant perennials. Here are some good choices:

• Ferns: Their delicate fronds add a different texture, and their love for shade makes them a perfect match for Brunnera.
• Hostas: The large, often variegated leaves of Hostas provide a striking contrast to the finer-textured Brunnera. They both thrive in similar conditions.
• Heuchera (Coral Bells): The variety of Heuchera’s foliage color, from purples to lime green, can contrast beautifully with Brunnera’s silvery leaves.
• Astilbe: With their feathery plumes and fern-like foliage, Astilbes can add color and texture contrast.
• Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra): Their unique, heart-shaped flowers and ferny leaves can provide added interest.
• Lamium (Dead Nettles): These ground cover plants have silver variegated leaves that can complement Brunnera’s foliage and brighten up the shade.
• Hellebores (Lenten Rose): Blooming in late winter to early spring, Hellebores can provide color when Brunnera is just starting to emerge.
• Pulmonaria (Lungwort): These plants also have a spring bloom time and can feature silver-speckled leaves that echo the color of Brunnera’s foliage.
• Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum): The arching stems with dangling flowers of Solomon’s Seal offer a different form and height in the shade garden.
• Hydrangea: The shade-loving varieties, their larger flowers, and broader leaves can contrast well with Brunnera.
• Bergenia: Their glossy, round leaves and spring-blooming pink flowers can add variety and extend the bloom season in a Brunnera-themed planting.

Remember, when choosing companion plants, consider the same light and moisture conditions that Brunnera prefers.

Growing Tips

Siberian Bugloss is a relatively easy plant to grow if you follow some basic care guidelines:

• Location: Plant your Brunnera in a location with part shade to full shade. While it can tolerate some morning sun, the foliage can scorch in the harsh afternoon sun, particularly in hotter climates.
• Soil: Brunnera prefers rich, moist, well-draining soil. Improve your soil with compost or other organic matter to enhance its fertility and moisture-holding capacity.
• Watering: This plant prefers consistently moist soil. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, but avoid waterlogged conditions as this can lead to root rot.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around your plants to help retain soil moisture and keep the roots cool.
• Feeding: Feed your Brunnera in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer or well-rotted compost.
• Dividing: Brunnera is a slowly spreading, clump-forming perennial. It can be divided in early spring or autumn if the clumps become too large or if you wish to propagate new plants.
• Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to promote additional blooming. After the first frost in the autumn, you can cut back the foliage to the ground.
• Pests/Diseases: Watch out for slugs and snails, which can be a problem for Brunnera. Protect your plants with natural or commercial slug deterrents. Botrytis, fusarium, root rot may occasionally attack Siberian bugloss.
• Overwintering: In colder regions, apply a protective layer of mulch in the fall to protect the roots during winter.

With these tips, you should be able to enjoy the beautiful heart-shaped leaves and sky-blue flowers of Brunnera macrophylla in your garden for many years.