Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Jack of Diamonds Brunnera: Huge Silver Hearts for the Shade
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Jack of Diamonds brunnera takes the classic silver brunnera look and turns up the size. Its heart-shaped leaves reach 9 to 10 inches across, carry a heavy silver overlay with bold dark green veins, and overlap at the base in a swirl that recalls a snail shell. The result is a nearly circular mound about 14 to 16 inches tall and 28 to 32 inches wide.
In spring, sprays of baby blue, forget-me-not-like flowers rise on stems up to about 30 inches and hover over the silver for roughly four weeks.
Jack of Diamonds at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack of Diamonds' |
| Foliage | Heart-shaped, 9 to 10 inches across, heavy silver with dark green veins |
| Flowers | Baby blue sprays on stems up to about 30 inches |
| Size | 14 to 16 inches tall, 28 to 32 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early to mid-May, about four weeks |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3-8 |
| Light | Part shade to full shade |
| Deer | Resistant |
A statement plant for the shady half
Lavender is grown for its silver foliage almost as much as its flowers, and Jack of Diamonds brings a silver of its own to ground lavender could never handle. Its scale is the difference from smaller brunneras: a single plant reads like a bold accent, so use it where a shady bed needs a focal point, or repeat a few along a woodland path. Pair it with hostas and ferns, which share its taste for moisture and shade.
Map the shade beds and the lavender rows together in the Companion Plant Planner, giving each brunnera its full 2½ feet.
Planting and care
- Light: shade, with no hot afternoon sun. Its thick leaves handle temperature swings better than older silver brunneras, but they still scorch.
- Soil: humus-rich and evenly moist; never waterlogged in winter.
- Watering: water at the soil line, not over the leaves, especially in hot, humid weather.
- After bloom: cut the flower stems back so the leaf mound takes center stage.
- Cleanup: trim tattered leaves in late fall or early spring.
- Pests: watch for slugs and aphids. Deer usually pass it by.
Spacing from a plug
A small plug does not look like it will fill a 30-inch circle, but it will. Plant at full spacing and let the swirl of leaves develop without crowding; the circular shape is the whole effect. It rarely needs dividing.
Two tray sizes
Jack of Diamonds is offered as a 72-cell plug tray and a 20-cell plug tray. The 72-cell tray suits growers potting up stock, and the 20-cell tray offers bigger plugs for planting straight into a shade bed. See each product page for current availability, or visit the Wholesale Hub.
Frequently asked questions
How is it different from Jack Frost?
It has the same frosted silver look, but the leaves are much larger, about 9 to 10 inches, and the mound grows roughly twice as wide.
Can I use it in containers?
Yes, in a large pot in shade. Keep the soil evenly moist, since containers dry quickly.
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