White-bloomed ground cover featuring delicate blossoms: Caucasian Nightingale plant description.
The Plant of the Year 2025 is none other than the Caucasian Forget-Me-Not, or Brunnera macrophylla, a robust beauty that can even give ground elder a run for its money! Let's dive into this stunning plant.
Garden29.05.202519:50Uhr03:33 min
The LowdownBrunnera macrophylla, or the Caucasian Forget-Me-Not, is a perennial gem valued for its attractive foliage and delicate spring blooms.
Heimat
Its AppearanceIncredibly versatile, Brunnera features large, heart-shaped leaves that can be green, silvery, or variegated depending on the cultivar. Popular varieties like 'Jack Frost' and 'Frostbite' captivate gardeners with their silver or frosted leaves, while others, like 'Betty Bowring', display stunning white blooms [3][4][1].
Kaukasus
The BlossomsSpringtime brings small, forget-me-not-like flowers in shades of light blue, with some cultivars boasting white or pinkish blooms. These delicate flowers form loose clusters on airy, branching stems above the foliage [2][1].
PflanzenfamilieRaublattgewächse (Boraginaceae)
Size MattersTypically, these plants form a mounded or clumping habit, reaching about 12 to 18 inches tall and wide. The size can vary by cultivar [1][2].
Wuchs
Hardiness and ResistanceBrunnera is hardy in USDA zones 3–8 (or 4–9 for some cultivars), able to withstand winters down to -25°F (-31.7°C). It is also resistant to deer and rabbits, making it a good option for woodland and wildlife gardens [1].
bodendeckend, 30 bis 50 Zentimeter hoch
Attracting PollinatorsThe flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects [1].
Blütezarte, blaue, je nach Sorte auch weiße Blüten
CultivationA part to full shade lover, Brunnera thrives in moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter and prefers to avoid waterlogged conditions. It requires minimal care, with division every few years helping maintain vigor.
Früchte
UsesIdeal for shade gardens, woodland settings, and borders, Brunnera provides beautiful groundcover and adds early spring color. Gardened alongside other shade-loving perennials like hostas, ferns, astilbes, and heucheras, it creates a stunning display. Its silver or variegated leaves brighten up dark garden corners and add visual depth and texture, while its resistance to deer and rabbits and its attraction to pollinators make it a useful plant for wildlife-friendly landscapes [4][2].
kleine Nüsschen, die Samen enthalten
Source: Our website Garden (dgr)
Standortschattig bis halbschattig
Further ExplorationSGNA-Arboretum |Link to webpage
European styles in landscape design |Rights: GERMAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION
Bodenhumos, durchlässig, mäßig feucht
Forget-Me-Nots & Woodland Gardensonehourgarden.com |Link to website
Incorporating Brunnera macrophylla into a woodland garden.
Winterhartja
New SectionCultivars and Companions
Mehrjährig
CultivarsNew cultivars like 'Alexander's Great' and 'Silver Heart' boast leaves with similar stunning patterns to 'Jack Frost,' while 'Betty Bowring' offers attractive white flowers. Other cultivars, such as 'Dawson's White' and 'Looking glass,' sport interesting leaf color variations and patterns [1].
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CompanionsBrunnera pairs well with other shade-loving perennials such as hostas, ferns, astilbes, and heucheras.
Besonderheitenvermehrt sich gut durch Selbstaussaat
In the VideoRoundup Tree and Shrub Pairings
Placement TipsFor optimal growth, plant Brunnera in a location that receives only dappled sun throughout the day, shading it in the most intense parts of the day.
[1] gardeningknowhow.com[2] plantsforafuture.org.uk[3] gardenia.com[4] finegardening.com
- For fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts, Brunnera macrophylla offers an array of captivating garden designs, with popular cultivars like 'Jack Frost' and 'Frostbite' boasting silver or frosted leaves.
- Food-and-drink connoisseurs may find interest in the idea of integrating Brunnera macrophylla into a woodland garden, as suggested by sites such as onehourgarden.com.
- Car aficionados could appreciate a visit to SGNA-Arboretum, showcasing European styles in landscape design that incorporate fascinating plants like Brunnera.
- Sports fans, especially soccer enthusiasts, might enjoy exploring the diverse world of plants, learning about the beautiful Brunnera macrophylla, and its potential uses in creating stunning, wildlife-friendly gardens. Weather permitting, of course!
