In the realm ofshade - loving perennials , few plants entrance the imagination quite like Brunnera macrophylla ‘ Jack Frost ’ .
With its outstanding silver grey foliage vein with light-green and fragile blue flower , this award - winning cultivar has become a favourite among gardener seeking to brighten vague corners of their landscapes .
‘ Jack Frost ’ offers months of optic interest with minimum sustentation , make it an excellent option for both tiro and experienced gardeners alike .
“Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ kz01” byKrzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraizis licensed underCC BY-SA 4.0
Featured effigy : Brunnera macrophylla ‘ Jack Frost ’ byKrzysztof Ziarnek , Kenraizis license under CC BY - SA 4.0
The Exciting ‘Jack Frost’
Brunnera macrophylla , commonly experience as Siberian bugloss or assumed block - me - not , is a woodland perennial aboriginal to Eastern Europe and Western Asia . The cultivar ‘ Jack Frost ’ , introduce in the early 2000s , quickly rose to prominence , earning the esteemed Perennial Plant of the Year award in 2012 from the Perennial Plant Association .
What sets ‘ Jack Frost ’ apart from the stock specie is its noteworthy leafage . The heart - regulate leave feature a stunning silver overlay with intricate unripe veining , creating a frosted , metallic appearance that seemingly glows in shaded field .
This Ag patterning is due to a unequaled genetical characteristic that reduces chlorophyl between the leaf veins , allowing the silvern coloring to dominate .
“Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ kz01” byKrzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraizis licensed underCC BY-SA 4.0
In spring , the plant produces sprays of tiny , promising blue flowers that closely resemble blank out - me - nots , hovering above the leafage on lissome stems ( see image further below ) . This delicious combining of silver leaves and sea - sorry peak creates a magical effect in the garden from April through June .
Growing Conditions: What ‘Jack Frost’ Needs to Thrive
Light Requirements
Despite its light appearance , ‘ Jack Frost ’ is not adoring of intense sunlight . It performs best in fond to full shade , get it idealistic for woodland garden , north - front borders , or areas beneath deciduoustrees .
dayspring sunlight with good afternoon nicety provide an optimum balance for this industrial plant , as too much direct sunlight can scorch the delicate leaf , make the eloquent colouration to slicing .
Soil Preferences
Brunnera ‘ Jack Frost ’ prefers copious , consistently moist , well - draining ground with high organic substance . A soil pH that is more or less acidulous to achromatic ( 6.0 - 7.0 ) is ideal . Before planting , amendgarden soilwith compost or well - rotted folio mold to better both drain and wet retention .
Water Needs
Regular watering is substantive , particularly during establishment and teetotal point . ‘ Jack Frost ’ appreciates consistent wet but ca n’t take waterlogged circumstance , which can top to root rot . A 2 - 3 column inch layer oforganic mulch serve maintain soil moisture and suppresses weeds , which can compete with the relatively shallow - root Brunnera .
Temperature and Hardiness
This perennial is quite sturdy , thriving in USDA zones 3 - 8 . It withstands inhuman winters laudably but may struggle in area with live , humid summertime . In affectionate regions ( zones 7 - 8) , providing deeper refinement and consistent moisture becomes especially crucial to help oneself the plant grapple with higher temperatures .
Planting and Care Tips
Planting Time and Method
Early leaping or early decline / fall are ideal meter to plant Brunnera ‘ Jack Frost ’ . Space industrial plant 12 - 18 inch ( 30 - 45 cm ) apart to allow for their eventual spread . When planting , lay the pate at the same level as it was in its can , taking aid not to eat up it too deep .
Fertilization
‘ Jack Frost ’ is not a heavy birdfeeder . A light app of balanced , boring - release fertiliser in early spring is typically sufficient . or else , top - dress withcompost p.a. to bring home the bacon nutrient while better soilstructure .
Division and Maintenance
Divide establish plant every 3 - 4 years to maintain vigour and forbid overcrowding . The effective prison term for section is other spring , just as new increment emerges . mildly split the clumps , ensuring each division has both etymon and shoots , and replant at once .
Remove spend flower stems after bloom to maintain a tidy appearance . In later winter , trim away any shattered or damaged foliation before raw growth emerges . During peculiarly hot summer , the foliage may go down ; trimming back affect leave of absence encourage impudent growing as temperatures cool .
Pest and Disease Management
Brunnera ‘ Jack Frost ’ is relatively trouble - innocent , but it can now and again have from sluggard and escargot damage . Regularmonitoring and appropriate control measures , such as diatomaceous earth barriers or hand - pick , help manage these pests .
Crown buncombe can fall out in ill draining soils or excessively wet conditions . Ensure right spacing between flora to amend melodic phrase circulation and avoid overhead lacrimation , peculiarly in humid climate .
Companion Planting: Creating Harmonious Combinations
The silvery leafage of ‘ Jack Frost ’ creates a luminous effect in shaded surface area , have it an splendid associate for plants with contrasting colours and grain . Consider these harmonious pairings :
Design Applications in the Garden
Jack Frost ’ Brunnera do multiple purpose ingarden design :
Seasonal Interest
While ‘ Jack Frost ’ is chiefly known for its spring exhibit , it offers garden interest throughout much of the raise time of year :
Final Thoughts
Brunnera macrophylla ‘ Jack Frost ’ represents a great balance of beauty and practicality . Its stunning appearance , adaptability to dispute shaded condition , and comparatively low-pitched sustainment prerequisite make it a worthful plus to any garden .
For those seeking to bring light and texture to their shadowy garden spaces , this silver medal - leaved perennial offers a howling solution . With right care , Brunnera ‘ Jack Frost ’ will come back year after class , its bosom - form leaves and forget - me - not flowers becoming old friends in the ever - evolving story of your garden .
Martin Cole has been an avid plant buff and nurseryman for more than 20 years and loves to talk and write about gardening . In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year contest . He is a member of the National dahlia Society .
He previously lived in London and Sydney , Australia , where he took a diploma course in Horticultural studies and is now based in North Berwick in Scotland . He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012 . The internet site is aimed at everybody who hump plant or has been bite by the gardening bug and need to know more .
Gardening Step by Step has beencited by Thompson and Morgan , the UK ’s largest mail order plant retail merchant , as a web site that publishes expert gardening content .
“Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ kz01” byKrzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraizis licensed underCC BY-SA 4.0
Silver leaf of Jack Frost Brunnera bypatrick_standishis licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ kz03” byKrzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraizis licensed underCC BY-SA 4.0
“Jack Frost Brunnera” bypatrick_standishis licensed underCC BY 2.0
