Jack Frost Siberian Bugloss

Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'

Boraginaceae

• Part shade to full shade
• 12–18" tall and wide
• Drought Tolerance: Low to moderate; more heat- and drought-tolerant than older Brunnera cultivars, but avoid letting soil dry out
• Flower Color: Sky-blue, forget-me-not-type flowers (mid- to late spring)
• Wildlife Benefits: Early-season nectar for bees; deer and rabbit resistant

'Jack Frost' is a sport of the cultivar 'Langtrees', discovered as a spontaneous mutation and since propagated by division and tissue culture. The species is native to shaded, moist mountain slopes of the Caucasus and eastern Europe, and the cultivar performs best in organically rich, consistently moist, well-drained soil in a cool, shaded site; dry soils should be avoided, though 'Jack Frost' tolerates heat and brief dryness better than many older Brunnera selections.

Large, heart-shaped leaves are heavily overlaid with intricate silver frosting that leaves only the green veins and margins showing through, forming a dense, hosta-like mound that remains attractive all season. Clouds of small, airy, sky-blue flowers resembling forget-me-nots rise above the foliage on slender stems in spring.

The early spring flowers provide a useful nectar source for bees at a time when few other shade perennials are blooming, and the foliage is generally left alone by deer and rabbits.

An outstanding foliage plant for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and mass plantings as a groundcover, valued as much for its shimmering silver leaves as for its spring flowers. Pairs beautifully with hostas, ferns, astilbe, and other shade-loving perennials for season-long textural contrast.