Photos thanks to Midwest Groundcovers.

2012 Perennial Plant of the Year®

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ is the Perennial Plant Association’s 2012 Perennial Plant of the Year®. Brunnera macrophylla, pronounced brun-ERR-a mak-ro-FIL-a or BRUN-er-ah mak-ro-FIL-a, carries the common names of Siberian bugloss, brunnera, heartleaf brunnera, and false forget-me-not. The last name is reflective of the tiny, bright blue flowers that resemble those of the annual flowering Myosotis scorpioides, the true forget-me-not. The name heartleaf brunnera refers to the heart shaped leaf, that develops as it grows. Jack Frost is a sport of Brunnera macrophylla ‘Langtrees’ and was discovered in a flat of ‘Langtrees’ at Walters Gardens, Inc. in Zeeland, Michigan.

‘Jack Frost’ grows 12 to 15 inches tall, somewhat taller in flower, and will spread to about 20 inches wide. The heart-shaped leaves are a frosty silver color with light green veins that resemble cracked porcelain. Blight blue flowers, held in clusters that hover above the leaves, are a bonus in the spring. This perennial grows best in shady areas with good moisture-retentive soils. It is intolerant of drought conditions and will exhibit leaf scorch when grown in drought conditions. In southern areas or in areas of high light intensity, planting in dense shade is necessary.

‘Jack Frost’ is a real scenestealer and is a very adaptable perennial. It fits along the front of a shade border, in a shade container, or naturalized along a stream bank. The silver coloring of the foliage lights up a darker garden from spring to fall. In the dog days of summer the shimmering color cools tired eyes and brightens the shade garden.

Brunnera is an excellent companion to hostas, ferns, epimediums, hellebores, and heucheras, which also like the same shady, moist conditions. Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ and Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’) create an excellent combination of textural contrast and color echoing. The clusters of small blue flowers also combine nicely with the flowers of ephemeral bulbs and the expanding leaves block out the ripening bulb foliage. And last, but not least, the rough leaf texture makes this perennial less palatable to browsing deer.

Photos thanks to Walters Gardens, Inc.

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PLANT DATA

Hardiness
USDA Zones 3 to 8

Light
Plants thrive in shade but will tolerate morning sun if the soil conditions remain moist

Size
12-15 inches tall, 20 inches wide

Soil
This perennial performs best in shady areas with good moisture retentive soils.