Northwest Blooms · Groundcovers
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’
Heartleaf Bugloss
- Family
- Boraginaceae
- Height
- 12 to 18 inches
- Width
- 18 to 24 inches
- Flower color
- Light blue
- Foliage color
- Silver-white with green veins
- Bloom time
- Early to mid-spring
- Light
- Partial to full shade
- Water
- Regular watering, especially during dry periods
- Maintenance
- Low maintenance
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 3 to 8
- Wildlife
- Not typically a significant attractor for wildlife
About this plant
Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' produces airy sprays of small, bright blue, forget-me-not-like flowers in mid to late spring, hovering above the foliage on slender stems. Large, heart-shaped leaves are heavily overlaid with shimmering silver, accented by deep green veining and narrow green margins that create a luminous display throughout the growing season. The dense foliage forms a tidy mound with bold texture, remaining attractive long after the flowers have faded.
Native to the woodlands of the Caucasus region, this cultivated selection was introduced for its exceptional ornamental foliage and dependable garden performance. It is well suited to woodland gardens, shaded borders, foundation plantings, and containers, where its silvery leaves brighten darker spaces and provide season-long texture.
Works well in
Containers · Woodland Gardens · Borders · Deer-Prone Areas
Companion plants
Hellebores · Japanese forest grass · Epimediums · Hostas · Ferns · Toad lilies
Design tip
Place this cultivar where its luminous foliage can brighten the deepest shade beneath trees or along north-facing foundations. The reflective leaves naturally draw attention through darker spaces, helping enclosed garden areas feel more open, balanced, and inviting.
