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Lavender companion · grow guide
Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera) · Brunnera macrophylla
Brunnera wants part to full shade with protection from afternoon sun and soil that stays moist. Silver-leaf types scorch quickly in sun or drought.
Check my zone & planting dates
Part shadeLight
Steady waterMoist drainage
pH 5.5–7.5Soil
Zones 3a–8bHardiness
14″ tall24″ wide
ResistantDeer · rabbits resistant
Mildly toxicPets
Huckleberry saysTell me where you grow and I’ll check if Sterling Silver will thrive there.
Hardy in zones 3a–8b
Spring or early fall.
Your year with Sterling Silver
When it arrives
Plugs are small and dry out fast. Water on arrival, keep in bright light, and harden off a week before planting. Pot 72- or 20-cell plugs into 4 in pots in shade, or plant straight into moist, rich soil once roots hold together. Shade new plugs from midday sun.
Spring or early fall.
Set the crown at soil level, same depth as in the pot.
18-24 in apart; leaves spread wider than you expect.
Humusy loam · pH 5.5–7.5
Fix-it tip: Mix in compost or leaf mold and mulch to keep soil cool and moist. It adapts to acid or alkaline soil but not to dry soil.
Part shade (tolerates full shade).
Avoid afternoon sun; silver-patterned leaves burn easily. Morning sun is fine if soil stays moist.
Don’t give up on it
Leaves and sprays of tiny blue flowers appear together in early to mid spring. Big heart-shaped leaves fill in after bloom.
Enjoy blue flowers; cut stems after bloom.
Water often; remove scorched leaves.
Top up mulch.
Leave foliage in place until spring cleanup.
First season: Keep evenly moist all first season.
After that: Water whenever the top inch dries, especially in heat; it does not tolerate dry soil.
Light. Spring compost top-dressing is enough.
Cut flower stems to the base after bloom to keep foliage tidy. Remove scorched leaves; new ones follow.
Rarely needed. Variegated and silver types are best left undisturbed.
Hardy in cold climates (zones 3-8). Leave foliage until spring; mulch helps.
Prefers cool summers. Dislikes hot, humid conditions and is not recommended for the Southeast.
Brown, crispy patches on silver leavesLikely cause: Sun scorch or dry soil
What to do: Water deeply, mulch, and shade from afternoon sun or move the plant.
Holes in leavesLikely cause: Slugs or snails
What to do: Hand-pick at dusk and use slug traps or iron phosphate bait.
All-green leaves on a silver varietyLikely cause: Reverted seedling or shoot
What to do: Remove green shoots and pull plain seedlings.
Brown, papery leaf edges or patches mean too dry or too much sun. Yellowing with soggy soil means poor drainage.
Not listed by ASPCA. It's in the borage family, some members of which (like comfrey) contain compounds that can harm the liver if eaten often. Discourage chewing.
Deer: resistant · Rabbits: resistant
Finnegan saysStill not sure what’s wrong? Ask Plant Health — describe it or add a photo.
Possible, with care · 2 gallon+
Can grow in a large, shaded pot but needs frequent watering. Better in the ground.
Outdoor plant
Needs winter cold; keep outdoors.
Best after a cold winter
A spring bloomer that flowers best after a normal winter outdoors; no special treatment needed.
Plugs from the tray
3–4 inch pots for 3–5 weeks, until roots hold the soil
Garden bed or a 2 gallon potTime to move up? Slide the plant out: if white roots wrap the outside of the soil, it’s ready for the next size.
Planting with lavender
Give it its own spot
Brunnera needs shade and moist soil, the opposite of lavender's hot, dry bed. Grow it in a shady border; it pairs well with hostas, ferns, and astilbe.
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