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Key characteristics

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

Groundcovers

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’

Heartleaf Bugloss

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.

Light

Partial to full shade

Water

Regular watering, especially during dry periods

Bloom time

Early to mid-spring

Find this plant

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.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)