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Brunnera macrophylla 'Alexander's Great'

Previously known as:

  • Anchusa myosotidiflora
Phonetic Spelling
BER-run-er-uh mak-roh-FYE-lah
Description

Siberian bugloss, is a herbaceous perennial that forms clumps and spreads by creeping rhizomes making it an excellent ground cover for shady areas. In addition to its spreading habit, it displays heart-shaped, dark green, foliage and small, forget-me-not-like flowers of light blue with yellow centers. The flowers bloom in the spring on stems that rise 18 inches tall, above the foliage, which results in a dense thicket of foliage supporting flower stalks holding the flower above. The mound of showy, variegated foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season. 

The plant grows well in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in part shade, preferring consistently moist, organically rich soil. While it does not tolerate dry soils, it will forgive some dryness. Plants prefer cool summers and foliage may scorch in the hot sun and humid summer conditions of USDA Zones 7-9. Plants may self-seed, but seedlings of this variegated form can lose that variegation.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Slugs and snails are occasional visitors.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

 

More information on Brunnera macrophylla.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#blue flowers#showy leaves#low maintenance#rabbit resistant#mass planting#pond margins#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#variegated#groundcover#border planting#partial shade tolerant#container plant#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#blue flowers#showy leaves#low maintenance#rabbit resistant#mass planting#pond margins#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#variegated#groundcover#border planting#partial shade tolerant#container plant#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Brunnera
    Species:
    macrophylla
    Family:
    Boraginaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern Mediteranean, Turkey to Caucasus
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer and rabbit resistant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Small flowers bloom blue petals in spring (April to May). While the petals are blue, the center of the flowers is yellow. Blooms rise above the foliage on 18 inch stems.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Variegated
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    Heart-shaped, dark green, basal foliage. Basal leaves form a mound which remains attractive throughout the growing season.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    slender
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Woodland
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Insect Pests
    Rabbits