Brunnera macrophylla

Brunnera macrophylla
flowers and foliage
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: (unplaced)
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Brunnera
Species: B. macrophylla
Binomial name
Brunnera macrophylla
(J. F. Adams) I. M. Johnst.

Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian bugloss, great forget-me-not,[1] heartleaf) is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, native to the Caucasus. It is a hardy, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial, that can reach from 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) in height, and carries basal, simple cordate leaves on slender stems. Sprays of small blue flowers, similar to those seen in the related forget-me-nots, are borne from mid-Spring,[2] and bloom for eight to ten weeks.[3]

The plant is valued as groundcover in shady areas, and has clumps of large heart-shaped leaves of about six inches (15 cm); these usually have white or cream markings, and are present all season. Plants are happy in any shady area that stays relatively moist. It often self-seeds, appearing around the garden in other places. Clumps may be easily divided in early fall.

The Latin specific epithet macrophylla means "larger-leaved".[4]

This plant[5] and the variegated cultivars 'Hadspen Cream'[6] and 'Jack Frost'[7] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

References

  1. "BSBI List 2007" (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  3. "GardenersHQ - Brunnera macrophylla". Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  4. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  5. "RHS Plant Selector - Brunnera macrophylla". Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  6. "RHS Plant Selector - Brunnera macrophylla 'Hadspen Cream'". Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  7. "RHS Plant Selector - Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'". Retrieved 18 June 2013.

External links