Brunnera

Brunnera is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. They are rhizomatous perennials, native to the woodlands of Eastern Europe and North West Asia. They have hairy leaves and sprays of blue flowers in spring.[1] Numerous cultivars are available, which are valued as groundcover in dappled shade. Some possess variegated foliage. The best known species is Brunnera macrophylla, known as Siberian bugloss.[2][3]

Siberian bugloss in Botanical Garden of Moscow State University

Brunnera
Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian bugloss) Botanischer Garten Augsburg
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Boraginales
Family: Boraginaceae
Subfamily: Boraginoideae
Genus: Brunnera
Steven

It thrives in shade but also likes morning sunshine as long as it is in consistently moist, rich, organic soil.[4][2] It does not tolerate dry conditions. It is often used in woodland gardens along streams of ponds and in naturalized areas as a specimen plant or clumped together as a border.[2] Clumps slowly spread by creeping rhizomes to form thick ground covers.

Siberian Bugloss Jardin des Plantes, Paris, France in April
Siberian bugloss in Botanical Garden of Moscow State University

"Bugloss comes from Greek meaning ox tongue in probably reference to the roughness and shape of the leaves."[2] It is a herbaceous perennial that grows in a Zone 3 to 8.[2] In 2012 Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' was named perennial plant of the year by the Perennial Plant Association (PPA).[4] Based on the (USDA) Hardiness zone it is hardy in zones 3 to 8.[5]

References
  1. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  2. "Brunnera macrophylla". St. Louis, Missouri: Missouri Botanical Garden. nd. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  3. Daniel Atha; Donovan Bailey; Mauricio Bonifacino; et al., eds. (19 December 2005), "Brunnera", Diversity of life, retrieved 19 March 2016
  4. Smith, Ron (9 July 2012). "Perennial Plant of 2012 Named". Fargo, North Dakota: North Dakota State University (NDSU). Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  5. "2012 Perennial Plant of the Year". Perennial Plant Association. 2012. Archived from the original on 30 March 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2016.


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