Siberian Bugloss Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' (PBR)
ABOUT
Jack Frost is a captivating plant noted for its decorative foliage and small, delicate flowers. It has heart-shaped leaves that are a striking silver in color with a fine network of green veins creating a crackled pattern. This frosty appearance provides the plant with its common name, Jack Frost, giving the impression of a light dusting of snow or ice over the leaves, which maintains its allure throughout the growing season. In the springtime, the plant is adorned with tiny, bright blue flowers that add a charming and whimsical contrast to the silvery foliage. These flowers are airy and borne aloft on slender stems, hovering like a cloud of azure above the ornamental leaves. The overall visual effect is one of a cooling and serene presence in the garden, with a textured, almost metallic foliage that catches the eye, complemented by the soft, gentle pop of floral color. It's a shade-loving plant and creates a beautiful underplanting for larger shrubs or a striking addition to woodland gardens and shady borders where its luminescent leaves illuminate darker corners.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Boraginaceae
Synonyms
Siberian Bugloss, Heartleaf Brunnera, Jack Frost Brunnera
Common names
Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' (PBR).
ToxicityTo humans
Siberian bugloss is generally considered non-toxic to humans. However, as with any plant material, individual allergies or sensitivities may occur. If a person ingests Siberian bugloss and experiences adverse symptoms, they should seek medical attention. There is no widespread documentation of poisoning from this plant, so symptoms are not well defined.
To pets
Siberian bugloss is not commonly known to be toxic to pets. While it is always best to prevent pets from eating plants, there is no specific documentation suggesting that the ingestion of Siberian bugloss causes poisoning in animals. If a pet ingests this plant and exhibits signs of illness, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian. Symptoms of plant poisoning in pets can include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and difficulty breathing, though these are not specifically related to Siberian bugloss.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Variegated
Flower color
Blue
Height
1-1.5 feet (30-45 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
Caucasus
Benefits
General Benefits- Shade Tolerance: Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' thrives in shady garden areas where other plants may struggle, providing verdant beauty to low-light spaces.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, it demonstrates a good level of drought tolerance, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Attractive Foliage: This variety is known for its striking silver-frosted leaves, which add visual interest and texture to the landscape throughout the growing season.
- Low Maintenance: It requires minimal care once established, making it an excellent choice for busy gardeners or those seeking a low-maintenance garden.
- Long Blooming Period: Produces small, forget-me-not-like blue flowers in spring, offering several weeks of floral display.
- Pest and Disease Resistance: Generally resistant to common garden pests and diseases, ensuring a healthier and more robust plant.
- Cold Hardiness: It is hardy in a wide range of climates, tolerating cold winters well.
- Non-Invasive: Unlike some perennials, 'Jack Frost' does not aggressively spread, making it a good neighbor to other plants.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography Backdrop: The silvery foliage of Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' provides a beautiful, textured background for close-up photography of insects or other small plants.
- Natural Confetti: When the leaves of 'Jack Frost' dry out, they can be crumbled and used as biodegradable confetti for outdoor celebrations.
- Leaf Casts: Create detailed leaf casts using 'Jack Frost' leaves to capture their intricate vein patterns for art projects or homemade garden stepping stones.
- Scrapbooking and Card Making: Pressed leaves of 'Jack Frost' can be used to embellish scrapbooks or handcrafted cards for a unique botanical touch.
- Plant Markers: Old leaves can be recycled as natural plant markers by writing on them with a permanent marker to identify other plants in the garden.
- Frosty Christmas Decor: The leaves can be integrated into holiday wreaths or garlands for a touch of their 'frosty' appearance in Christmas decorations.
- Leaf Litter for Miniature Gardens: Dried leaves can be used as leaf litter in terrariums or miniature fairy gardens to add realism and promote a healthy ecosystem.
- Educational Tool: 'Jack Frost' can be used in schools or educational programmes to teach children about plant hardiness and the effects of frost on foliage.
- Floral Arrangements: The heart-shaped leaves can be used as greenery in floral arrangements to add contrast and texture among the flowers.
- Leaf Printing: Use 'Jack Frost' leaves as stamps by coating them in non-toxic paint and pressing them onto fabric or paper for natural designs.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Brunnera is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Brunnera is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Endurance - Brunnera macrophylla often symbolizes the ability to endure and persist, much like its hardy nature that allows it to thrive in various conditions.
- Memory - The plant is sometimes associated with memories, possibly due to its perennials which come back year after year, reminding us of past seasons.
- Longevity - With its capacity to live for many years, it represents long life and sometimes wisdom that comes with age.
WaterSiberian Bugloss requires consistent moisture, so it should be watered thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This could mean watering once or twice a week depending on weather conditions and soil drainage. Use about one gallon of water per plant, ensuring it's given slowly to reach deep into the soil and promote root growth. During periods of drought, watering frequency may increase, but be cautious of overwatering as it can lead to root rot. It's best to water in the morning to reduce evaporation and give the foliage a chance to dry out over the day.
LightSiberian Bugloss thrives best in partial shade to full shade. It should be sheltered from intense afternoon sun to prevent scorching of the delicate foliage. A spot under dappled sunlight, like beneath a deciduous tree or on the north side of a building where it receives filtered light, is ideal. While it can tolerate some morning sun, it's essential to protect it from the harsher afternoon light for optimal growth and leaf coloration.
TemperatureSiberian Bugloss prefers moderate temperatures and can typically survive in a range between 50°F and 75°F, which are ideal for its growth. It can withstand minimum temperatures down to around 20°F; however, prolonged exposure to temperatures below freezing can damage the plant. During the summer, ensure it's kept cool, especially if the climate gets warmer than 75°F, by providing sufficient shade and mulch to keep the roots cool.
PruningPruning Siberian Bugloss is mainly done to remove any damaged or spent leaves and to shape the plant if desired. It can be pruned lightly in the spring to tidy up the plant and encourage fresh growth. Typically, the best time to prune is after the plant has bloomed, cutting back the spent flower stalks to maintain a neat appearance. Pruning should be done with clean, sharp tools to prevent disease.
CleaningNot needed
SoilSiberian Bugloss 'Jack Frost' prefers rich, well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. A good soil mix for this plant would contain equal parts garden soil, peat moss or coco coir, and perlite to ensure adequate moisture retention and drainage.
RepottingSiberian Bugloss 'Jack Frost' doesn't require frequent repotting; it can be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its current container, typically in spring.
Humidity & MistingSiberian Bugloss 'Jack Frost' thrives in average room humidity levels; excessive dryness or misting is usually not necessary for this plant.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Siberian Bugloss in filtered light and water when topsoil feels dry.
Outdoor
Plant in part-shade, moist soil, mulch well; protect from afternoon sun.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleBrunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost', commonly known as Siberian Bugloss, is a herbaceous perennial that begins its life cycle with seed germination, typically in spring when soil temperatures warm. After germination, seedlings establish a rosette of heart-shaped leaves, which are silvered with green veins. The plant then enters a vegetative growth stage, where it focuses on leaf development. As it matures, it sends up flowering stalks in mid to late spring, bearing clusters of small, forget-me-not-like blue flowers. After flowering, seeds develop and disperse, completing the reproductive cycle. In late autumn, the plant dies back to its crown, becoming dormant over winter, only to re-emerge the following spring to repeat the cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
Propogation: The Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost', commonly known as Siberian bugloss, is generally propagated through division, a straightforward and popular method. Division is best performed in the spring or early fall to give the plants time to establish in cool weather. To propagate by division, carefully dig up an established clump and gently tease it apart into smaller sections, each with a portion of the root system attached. Replant the divisions immediately at the same depth they were originally growing, spacing them about 12 to 18 inches (roughly 30 to 45 centimeters) apart to ensure they have room to mature. Keep the newly planted divisions well-watered to encourage root development and help them settle in their new location. This method of propagation allows gardeners to quickly increase their stock of Siberian bugloss while maintaining the distinct variegated foliage characteristics of the 'Jack Frost' variety.
