Comments on: Exquisite Brunnera macrophylla in 3 Silvery Versions http://northernshade.ca/2009/06/13/exquisite-brunnera-macrophylla-in-3-silvery-versions/ Gardening in a cold northern climate, as the trees grow, the garden is gradually transforming to a more shady woodland garden Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:36:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Northern Shade http://northernshade.ca/2009/06/13/exquisite-brunnera-macrophylla-in-3-silvery-versions/#comment-6995 Northern Shade Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:11:38 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=1809#comment-6995 April, I've found the Brunnera to be generally easy to care for, but they don't like to get too dry. I've sited them from light to heavy shade, and they do well in all of those light exposures. Although I don't have redwoods, I do grow them successfully under both deciduous and coniferous trees. They compete well with tree roots, but if located very close to the trunk, they tend to be smaller. My largest ones are under the deciduous trees, where they get some spring light. The Brunnera under the conifers do well though. I give them some supplemental water, to help them compete with the large spruce and pine. The large, shapely leaves are really attractive, and combine well with many other shade plants, while the sprays of spring flowers create a pretty woodland display. I'm looking forward to spring, when they will be in bloom again. It is too bad that you lost your 'Johnson's Blue', since they have such blue flowers. If you are looking for a replacement, you might try Geranium 'Rozanne'. It has similar blooms to 'Johnson's Blue', but they last much longer, and are less floppy. They are also sold as Geranium 'Jolly Bee'. April, I’ve found the Brunnera to be generally easy to care for, but they don’t like to get too dry. I’ve sited them from light to heavy shade, and they do well in all of those light exposures. Although I don’t have redwoods, I do grow them successfully under both deciduous and coniferous trees. They compete well with tree roots, but if located very close to the trunk, they tend to be smaller. My largest ones are under the deciduous trees, where they get some spring light. The Brunnera under the conifers do well though. I give them some supplemental water, to help them compete with the large spruce and pine. The large, shapely leaves are really attractive, and combine well with many other shade plants, while the sprays of spring flowers create a pretty woodland display. I’m looking forward to spring, when they will be in bloom again.

It is too bad that you lost your ‘Johnson’s Blue’, since they have such blue flowers. If you are looking for a replacement, you might try Geranium ‘Rozanne’. It has similar blooms to ‘Johnson’s Blue’, but they last much longer, and are less floppy. They are also sold as Geranium ‘Jolly Bee’.

]]> By: April http://northernshade.ca/2009/06/13/exquisite-brunnera-macrophylla-in-3-silvery-versions/#comment-6984 April Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:45:34 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=1809#comment-6984 I have a shade garden and was looking for care of the Brunnera Macro Betty Bowring. I just recently had a front landscaping job with stairs and plants put in and want to keep all the plants from dieing. I just lost some Geranium Johnston Blue which was lovely, but with the fog my husband keeping the water off, it believe that may be a cause. However, just to make sure I don't lose the rest, especially the Brunera Macro, I wondered how you care for them in a shaded garden with red woods for shade? I appreciate your help. This is a tough plant to find upkeep and think you are an expert. I have a shade garden and was looking for care of the Brunnera Macro Betty Bowring. I just recently had a front landscaping job with stairs and plants put in and want to keep all the plants from dieing. I just lost some Geranium Johnston Blue which was lovely, but with the fog my husband keeping the water off, it believe that may be a cause. However, just to make sure I don’t lose the rest, especially the Brunera Macro, I wondered how you care for them in a shaded garden with red woods for shade? I appreciate your help. This is a tough plant to find upkeep and think you are an expert.

]]> By: Flowery blurbs, volume one. « Flowery Prose http://northernshade.ca/2009/06/13/exquisite-brunnera-macrophylla-in-3-silvery-versions/#comment-6213 Flowery blurbs, volume one. « Flowery Prose Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:58:47 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=1809#comment-6213 [...] Ransom,’ with silver-edged leaves?  (Northern Shade Gardening has some great photos of ‘Jack Frost’ and a couple of other noteworthy [...] [...] Ransom,’ with silver-edged leaves?  (Northern Shade Gardening has some great photos of ‘Jack Frost’ and a couple of other noteworthy [...]

]]> By: Northern Shade http://northernshade.ca/2009/06/13/exquisite-brunnera-macrophylla-in-3-silvery-versions/#comment-3122 Northern Shade Sat, 24 Apr 2010 04:43:31 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=1809#comment-3122 Sue, the 'Jack Frost' leaves are especially good looking, with that elaborate silver veining. If you see 'Looking Glass' there, you might like the strong silver colour to the foliage too. The silver colour on both stands out in the shadier areas, where darker colours would blend in to the shadows. Sue, the ‘Jack Frost’ leaves are especially good looking, with that elaborate silver veining. If you see ‘Looking Glass’ there, you might like the strong silver colour to the foliage too. The silver colour on both stands out in the shadier areas, where darker colours would blend in to the shadows.

]]> By: Corner Garden Sue http://northernshade.ca/2009/06/13/exquisite-brunnera-macrophylla-in-3-silvery-versions/#comment-3121 Corner Garden Sue Sat, 24 Apr 2010 03:19:53 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=1809#comment-3121 I enjoyed your posts, by the way. I enjoyed your posts, by the way.

]]> By: Corner Garden Sue http://northernshade.ca/2009/06/13/exquisite-brunnera-macrophylla-in-3-silvery-versions/#comment-3120 Corner Garden Sue Sat, 24 Apr 2010 03:18:27 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=1809#comment-3120 Hi Northern Shade, I'm pretty sure I've visited here before. I came here from another post of yours about brunnerias. I am going to a plant sale tomorrow, and both the macrophylia (sp?) and Jack Frost are on the list. I'll have to look at them and see which looks better to me than the other. Hi Northern Shade,
I’m pretty sure I’ve visited here before. I came here from another post of yours about brunnerias. I am going to a plant sale tomorrow, and both the macrophylia (sp?) and Jack Frost are on the list. I’ll have to look at them and see which looks better to me than the other.

]]> By: Northern Shade http://northernshade.ca/2009/06/13/exquisite-brunnera-macrophylla-in-3-silvery-versions/#comment-2054 Northern Shade Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:19:41 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=1809#comment-2054 Marnie, I understand wanting plants that are adapted to your area, especially the moisture level. I'm not sure just how small an amount of water Brunnera can survive and stay healthy in. It would be an interesting experiment. Here's hoping you get a little rain mixed in with your sunshine. Marnie, I understand wanting plants that are adapted to your area, especially the moisture level. I’m not sure just how small an amount of water Brunnera can survive and stay healthy in. It would be an interesting experiment. Here’s hoping you get a little rain mixed in with your sunshine.

]]> By: Marnie http://northernshade.ca/2009/06/13/exquisite-brunnera-macrophylla-in-3-silvery-versions/#comment-2053 Marnie Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:51:10 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=1809#comment-2053 I have wanted Jack Frost for years. The thing that stops me from running out and buying a dozen is our hot, summers with long drought periods. I promised myself not to add any plants that need to be watered frequently. I think yours are just beautiful. Marnie I have wanted Jack Frost for years. The thing that stops me from running out and buying a dozen is our hot, summers with long drought periods. I promised myself not to add any plants that need to be watered frequently. I think yours are just beautiful.
Marnie

]]> By: Northern Shade http://northernshade.ca/2009/06/13/exquisite-brunnera-macrophylla-in-3-silvery-versions/#comment-2052 Northern Shade Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:17:23 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=1809#comment-2052 Martyn, I like the way the Brunnera holds its flowers well above the leaves, very showy. It's a nice counterpoint to the more discrete spring plants that hide their flowers half under stems and leaves. I haven't seen 'Betty Bowring' before. White flowers really catch your eye in the shade. It's been interesting to read about the other Brunnera that people are growing and their characteristics. Martyn, I like the way the Brunnera holds its flowers well above the leaves, very showy. It’s a nice counterpoint to the more discrete spring plants that hide their flowers half under stems and leaves. I haven’t seen ‘Betty Bowring’ before. White flowers really catch your eye in the shade. It’s been interesting to read about the other Brunnera that people are growing and their characteristics.

]]> By: Martyn Cox http://northernshade.ca/2009/06/13/exquisite-brunnera-macrophylla-in-3-silvery-versions/#comment-2051 Martyn Cox Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:29:36 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=1809#comment-2051 Hi Northern Shade, the only brunnera I grow is 'Betty Bowring', which is a real good doer. It flowered its socks off in spring filling my front garden with frothy white flowers for weeks. Hi Northern Shade, the only brunnera I grow is ‘Betty Bowring’, which is a real good doer. It flowered its socks off in spring filling my front garden with frothy white flowers for weeks.

]]>