Re: new introductions - some diffrent plants to try this year.

Brunnera macrophylla:

"Siberian Bugloss" or "False forget-me-not"  (BRUN-a-ra   mak-RO-fill-a)  BORAGINACEAE
Plants have dark blue to light blue flowers in the spring from late April till early June.  The flowers look just like ‘forget-me-nots'.  The flowering stems are any branched and reach a height of 12-15 inches, the leaves start off small and become large as summer progresses.  Plants do best in moisture retentive soils and even do well in damp soils.  They like full sun if they have enough moisture and they will develop impressively large rounded leaves. In the deep south or were the suers are hot and dry- give the some shade during the afternoon.  In drier soils give them  some shade in the afternoon- they will grow and live in a shady location as long at is bright and open- but you will not get the size or the large number of flowers. Heavy organic soils that are rich will give you the strongest growing plants, can divide every three years, they are fast growing. Small plants will form from broken root pieces , so when cultivating around them or moving them around,  expect a few small plants to pop up around and about the area.
Width can be from 12-26 inches. Plants are attractive and popular. A good subject for along a pond or mixed with Hosta and Astilbe. Seed can be germinated in moist sand/peat mix at 70F.  Then transplanted out in late summer.
This species is native form the Caucasus and western Siberia  Zones 3-9.

There are a number of nice selections including those listed below:

Brunnera macrophylla 'Variegata'

"Great Forget-me-not" or "Siberian bugloss" or "Alkanet" (BROON-er-uh mak-ro-FIL-a) BORAGINACEAE. This choice showy plant has large creamy white leaves with green centers. Plants need a bright shady location with good moister to grow their best but they are not difficult. This is a very showy plant and well worth the small amount of work to keep in from drying out in the summer. Plants are durable though and will live threw drought and high water but to really make this gem stand out in perfection - keep the soil moist and the hot afternoon sun off it. Dry sunny locations will cause the leaf edges to burn. This is a real stand out in the garden and not many plants can compete with its large white leaves. Same forget-me-not like blue flowers as the above plants but the color is a soft attractive sky blue.. Best suited for cool moist locations.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost':


A frosted silver appearance to the large leaves. Plants have netted green vein patterns and the flowers are blue-needs about the same conditions as Variegate. A choice and rare plant.  Very attractive and has generated a lot of attention.  This one is a stand out in the open shade garden to part sun.  Zones 4-8.


Brunnera macrophylla 'Hadspen Cream':

The heart-shaped soft green leaves have a very wide creamy-white border around then. As the season progresses the edge changes to a cream, and as more time passes they turn a yellow-cream color, spring blooming with  blue flowers. For the best results keep the soil moist and out of direct afternoon  sun.  A bit faster growing than B. macrophylla ‘'Variegata'


Brunnera macrophylla 'Langtrees':


This one has silver spots or blotches that circle around the out edge of the leaves. Take ore sun that the other variegated forms list above.


Brunnera macrophylla 'Betty Bowering':


Here is one of the white flowering forms , normal green foliage but nice white flowers.  Said to bloom a little earlier than the others.  Agin about 12 inches tall and 1 to 2 feet wide.


Brunnera macrophylla 'Silver Wings':


This one is a selection from B. ‘Langtrees' with  green leaves that have a silver-white cast to them and two or three times the silver-white blotches and spots of langtrees.  Much more showy and does present a dramatic but reserved look in the open shade garden.
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