Brunnera macrophylla
|
Siberian bugloss
|
Type/Hardiness |
Herbaceous, Perennial, Hardy |
Flowering period |
Spring-early Summer |
Height |
12-18in/30-45cm |
Light preference |
Sun/part shade |
Soil preference |
Rich but well drained |
Sowing time/depth |
Any time, Barely cover |
|
One of my favourite spring-flowering plants, with delicate sprays of sky-blue flowers, somewhat similar to forget-me-not, but with rather more wiry flower stems, above large, rich-green, heart-shaped leaves. |
Sowing and/or growing instructions |
Either sow outside in late summer to autumn or inside at any other time, placing the sown pot in a plastic bag and stratifying in the fridge for about 28 days, then providing a temperature of 60F/16C until germination, which should take 1-3 months: The seeds should be covered with a thin layer of sieved compost or fine vermiculite. Pot on seedlings and grow on until large enough to plant out 20-40cm apart in sun or part shade. Transplant outdoors following the last frost or in autumn. Easy to care for - cut back spent flowering stems and untidy foliage to keep the plant neat. Will form large clumps quite quickly; split as necessary from late summer to winter. |