Nipped by Jack Frost -Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’
May 11, 2011
It’s been a cool spring here in the Northeast. I keep looking at the thermometer and shaking my head. Is it really 50 degrees? Seems like 40 degrees. Is it going to frost over tonight?
But there is one thing frosty I look forward to this time of year: Brunnera ‘Jack Frost (Siberian Bugloss)’!
Here it is pictured with Geranium maculatum (Hardy Geranium), Geum borisi (Avens) and Heuchera ‘Georgia Peach’ (Coral Bells).
Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ maintains it’s variegated silvery white leaf all through the season, because it’s variegation goes all the way to it’s root system. ‘Jack Frost’ is a sport (mutation) of it’s parent plant Brunnera ‘Langtrees’ Brunnera macrophylla ‘Variegata’ is a less stable variegated Brunnera which can revert to all green if it receives too much sun.
Which ever Brunnera you choose you’ll be delighted with it’s adorable tiny light blue flowers. Real blue, not purpely-blue. It has a beautiful clumping habit, and slowly spreads rhizomatously (by underground rhizomes). When the tiny blue flowers are done you can enjoy the silvery white leaves all year long!
Plant Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ in consistently moist but well drained soils in a shady spot. Much like the cultural needs of an astilbe. It is not tolerant of dry overly sunny conditions.
You’ll love it!
