Brunnera macrophylla aka Great Forget Me Not

Taxonomy

Genus Brunnera Family Boraginaceae Order Boraginales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Brunnera macrophylla, also known as Siberian bugloss, great forget-me-not, largeleaf brunnera, or heartleaf, is a hardy, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial native to the Caucasus. It can reach a height of 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) and carries basal, simple cordate leaves on slender stems. The clumps of large heart-shaped leaves, which usually have white or cream markings, make it an attractive groundcover for shady areas. The plant is happy in any shady area that stays relatively moist and prefers moist, organically rich soil. Sprays of small blue flowers, similar to those seen in the related forget-me-nots, bloom for eight to ten weeks from mid-Spring. Brunnera macrophylla often self-seeds, appearing around the garden in other places, and clumps may be easily divided in early fall. The Latin specific epithet macrophylla means "larger-leaved". Chromosomal genetic evidence suggests that Brunnera macrophylla may be reflective of the ancient flora of forests around the Black Sea. The variegated cultivars 'Hadspen Cream' and 'Jack Frost' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Common names

Great Forget Me Not, Brunnera, Largeleaf Brunnera

How to care for Great Forget Me Not

Difficulty

Great Forget Me Not requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

Great Forget Me Not should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Great Forget Me Not loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Great Forget Me Not prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Great Forget Me Not to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

Toxicity

Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Growth-pattern

The Great Forget Me Not is a clumping species, with new growth arising from the soil surrounding the parent plant.

More info:
Wikipedia

More Species in Brunnera Genus

Brunnera sibirica Siberian Bugloss