Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
'Betty Bowring'
Siberian bugloss
Brunnera 'Betty Bowring' is a fabulous herbaceous perennial, forming a clump up to 45cm high, and a little more across. It produces broad sprays of small, white, delicate-looking star-shaped flowers. Technically, this plant is listed as flowering in April and May; in reality, however, it frequently flowers as early as February and as late as June. The blooms make a dramatic contrast to the large, heart-shaped, mid- to deep green leaves on long stalks. These leaves are every bit as attractive as the flowers. The flowers rise on narrow stems, which grow taller as the leaves emerge, so they never get smothered. You may even get a second flush of flowers in late summer.
Brunnera macrophylla 'Betty Bowring' produces nectar-rich flowers, so it is a great attraction for early-flying bees. The foliage forms good clumps throughout the warmer months, which is great for softening the edges of paths, or mixing in with other shade-loving plants, such as Hosta, Pulmonaria and Lamium. This white-flowering Siberian bugloss is more tolerant of sun than some varieties, but only if grown in a moisture-retentive soil.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
- Brunnera macrophylla 'Bettry Bowring'
- Flower colour
- White
- Established height
- 30-50cm
- Established spread
- 30-50cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant size
- 1
- Plant spacing
- 9 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- No
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
-
Damp
Free draining - Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Clay
Stony
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1-2 years
Expert care from
choice to delivery
Our horticulturalists prepare every bulb and plant with the utmost care. From selection to packing, each one receives expert attention before beginning its journey to your garden.