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Key characteristics

Family: Boraginaceae
Height: 12 to 18 inches tall
Width: 18 to 24 inches wide
Flower color: Small, bright blue flowers
Foliage color: Heart-shaped, silvery-gray leaves with green veins and a subtle blue tint
Bloom time: Early spring
Light: Partial to full shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low; occasional division every few years to maintain vigor
Growing zone: USDA Zones 3 to 8
Wildlife: Attracts bees and butterflies

Groundcovers

Brunnera macrophylla 'Silver Heart'

Silver Heart Siberian Bugloss

Brunnera macrophylla 'Silver Heart' is admired for its heart-shaped leaves, which are silvery-gray with a contrasting green veining, offering a soft, shimmering effect in shady garden spots. In early spring, it produces small, bright blue flowers in loose clusters, creating a gentle contrast against the foliage. These blooms, while small, add a pop of color and provide a subtle yet attractive focal point during the early part of the growing season.

Light

Partial to full shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Early spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Containers
Woodland Gardens
Borders
Deer-Prone Areas

Companion plants

Hellebores · Japanese forest grass · Epimedium · Hostas · Ferns · Toad lilies

Design tip

Position this selection where afternoon shade softens the garden, allowing its cool-toned foliage to create a calming visual retreat. Repeating the silvery leaves at intervals leads the eye comfortably through shaded planting beds without relying on flowers alone.