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.
Brunnera 'Variegata' will really light up a shady corner of the garden. Its clumps of soft, hairy, heart-shaped leaves are splashed with cream-white at the edges, and vivid green in the centre. The leaves form a dense and lush mound, which remains attractive throughout the entire growing season. Then, don’t forget, there are the flowers: clouds of bright blue forget-me-not blooms appear from mid-spring. These blooms keep on coming, often for 8-10 weeks, and sometimes again at the end of summer. These nectar-rich flowers are known for attracting bees.
This easy-to-grow plant could be a star or your border for 7 months of the year. Grow Brunnera macrophylla 'Variegata' in moist but well-drained soil in part shade – although it will tolerate deeper shade (keep out of direct sun, as the white leaf edges will scorch). Planting several plants together gives you ideal ground cover, especially for shady areas of the garden.
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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 'Variegata'
- Flower colour
- Blue
- Established height
- 30-50cm
- Established spread
- 30-50cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Variegated
- 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 shade
Partial shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1-2 years
Brunnera 'Variegata' reviews
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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.