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False forget-me-not Brunnera macrophylla

Previously known as:

  • Anchusa myosotidiflora
Description

Siberian bugloss is a perennial in the Borginaceae (borage) family. This plant is a clumping, mounding plant that will spread slowly by rhizomes and seeding. The large heart-shaped leaves and showy blue spring flowers make it a good shade groundcover. Some cultivars have variegated leaves. It will reach up to 18 inches high and spread 2.5 feet wide. 

This plant prefers part shade to shade with protection from the afternoon sun in fertile moist well-drained soils. Mulching helps keep the soil cooler and retains moisture. It does best in areas with cooler nights and is not recommended for the southeast. Use this plant in the shade or woodland garden in the border or as a groundcover. It is also deer and rabbit resistant, probably due to the rough texture of the leaves.

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:
  • 'Alchemy Silver'
    showy silver foliage and great crown count.
  • 'Alexander's Great' 'Alexander's Great'
  • 'Jack Frost'
    Variegated leaves
'Alchemy Silver', 'Alexander's Great', 'Jack Frost'
Tags:
#showy flowers#blue flowers#showy leaves#spring flowers#moist soil#rich soils#rhizomes#groundcover#partial shade tolerant#heavy shade tolerant#shade perennial#landscape plant sleuths course#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alchemy Silver'
    showy silver foliage and great crown count.
  • 'Alexander's Great' 'Alexander's Great'
  • 'Jack Frost'
    Variegated leaves
'Alchemy Silver', 'Alexander's Great', 'Jack Frost'
Tags:
#showy flowers#blue flowers#showy leaves#spring flowers#moist soil#rich soils#rhizomes#groundcover#partial shade tolerant#heavy shade tolerant#shade perennial#landscape plant sleuths course#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Brunnera
    Species:
    macrophylla
    Family:
    Boraginaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Turkey, North Caucasus, Transcaucus
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small blue flowers with 5 petals and white centers resemble Forget-Me-not flowers. They occur in clusters on stems held above the plant in April-May.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Heart-shaped leaves with a rough texture, impressed venation, up to 6 inches long. Some cultivars have variegated leaves. They grow in clumps
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits