Brunnera macrophylla 'Alexander's Great'
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Anchusa myosotidiflora
- Phonetic Spelling
- BER-run-er-uh mak-roh-FYE-lah
- Description
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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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- slender
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Woodland
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Insect Pests
- Rabbits
