Brunnera macrophylla

A perennial from the Boraginaceae family, Brunnera macrophylla is native to the forests and wooded edges of the Caucasus and western Siberia, where it carpets the cool woodlands on humus-rich soils, slightly acidic to neutral, generally shaded and well-supplied with moisture throughout the growing season.

It forms a low, spreading clump, reaching 30 to 45 cm in height in bloom, from a gradually widening rhizome. The basal leaves are very large, heart-shaped, with a slightly rough and matte surface, a deep green; they persist all summer and constitute the main visual effect of the plant outside of flowering. Many selected cultivars have silver or creamy white variegated foliage, particularly bright in the shade.

The flowers, borne in light and branched scorpioid cymes, are tiny, a bright blue to azure blue with a central white eye, strikingly similar to those of forget-me-nots to which it is related.

In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from April to May. In cultivation, it generally occurs from March to May depending on the climate.

It thrives in cool, humus-rich, well-drained soil, in shade or partial shade, and does not tolerate prolonged summer drought well. Excellent for woodland compositions and shade gardens, it is fully hardy.