The Brunnera macrophylla is a genus from the Borage family (Boraginaceae) and is commonly named Siberian bugloss or great forget-me-not. The Siberian bugloss is native to the Caucasus.
The Brunnera macrophylla grows best in partial shade to shade and does not like afternoon sun. If the soil is moist enough the Brunnera macrophylla tolerates quite some sun. The Siberian bugloss prefers moist and humus rich soil and is a very good ground cover. The Brunnera macrophylla is tolerant to clay soils and salt. The Siberian bugloss slowly spreads through rhizomes.
Propagation is easy by digging up the clump and dividing it. It is best to do this in the spring.
The Brunnera macrophylla ‘Silver Spear’ has beautiful, large, silver leaves with green veins. In the spring the leaves appear. They are small in the beginning and soon the stems with beautiful, blue, little flowers appear. I like the flowers best in April. You can see the flowers very well because the leaves are small. In May larger leaves develop and you can hardly see the flowers anymore and there are less. The leaves almost give light which make them perfect to brighten up a shady space.
The leaves of the Brunnera macrophylla ‘Silver Spear’ are a little bit whiter than those of the Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ with tips that are a bit pointier.
Attracts bees: yes
Characteristic: newly emerging every year
Deer resistant: yes
Exposure: part shade/shade
Flower color: blue
Flowering time: March - June
Foliage color: green/white
Fragrant flower: no
Hardiness: -40 ºF (-40 ºC)
Height: 12 inches (30 cm)
Soil: normal/moist