Brunnera macrophylla, perennial forget-me-not
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Perennials

Brunnera macrophylla

perennial forget-me-not

Boraginaceae

Caucasus (northern Turkey, Georgia, Russia)

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Width18-24 inches (45-60 cm)
Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Deer Resistant
Container Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

A rhizomatous herbaceous perennial forming a spreading mound 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall and 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) wide. Basal leaves are large, heart-shaped, 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long and 4-7 inches (10-18 cm) wide, with a rough, hairy texture, dark green with deeply impressed venation. Stem leaves are smaller and alternate. In spring, before full leaf development, multi-branched flowering stems 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall bear loose cymes of small blue flowers 0.2-0.3 inches (5-8 mm) across, each with five rounded petals and a white or yellow eye, closely resembling true forget-me-not (Myosotis). Flowers appear April to May for 6-8 weeks. Foliage expands significantly after flowering and remains the primary ornamental feature through summer; leaf size increases with plant age. Foliage dies back in autumn. Rhizomes spread slowly, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) per year. Many cultivars offer silvery or heavily variegated foliage; this entry covers the species type. Plants are short-lived in zones 8 and warmer where summers are hot and humid.

Native Range

Native to the Caucasus region, including northern Turkey, Georgia, and adjacent areas of Russia, where it grows in moist, shaded broadleaf forests on fertile, humus-rich soils. Found at low to moderate elevations along stream banks and in forest understories.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a groundcover in shaded borders and woodland gardens at 18-24 inch (45-60 cm) spacing. Grown under trees and alongside streams where soil remains consistently moist. Suitable for containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L) in a shaded position, with consistent watering. Not suitable for dry sites or south-facing positions in full sun.

How to Identify

Identified by large, heart-shaped, dark green leaves 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long with a rough, hairy texture and deeply impressed veins. In spring, loose cymes of small bright blue flowers 0.2-0.3 inches (5-8 mm) with white eyes appear on branching stems 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall before the leaves fully expand. Distinguished from true forget-me-not (Myosotis) by much larger leaves (4-8 vs. 1-2 inches / 10-20 vs. 2.5-5 cm), rhizomatous habit, and 6-8 week bloom rather than annual or biennial life cycle.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'6"
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

blue

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~7 weeks
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Spring
April through May in zones 3-7; bloom may begin in late March in zones 6-7 and warmer. Total bloom period is 6-8 weeks per plant. Flowers appear before or simultaneous with full leaf expansion. Heat above 75°F (24°C) accelerates the end of bloom. Deadheading does not extend bloom meaningfully; the flowering period is primarily temperature-dependent.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Bright blue with white eye, small, in loose cymes

Foliage Description

Dark green, heart-shaped, rough-hairy with deeply impressed veins

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade
Full Shade
Requires 1-4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loampeat
Drainage
moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in consistently moist, humus-rich, well-drained to moist soil in partial to full shade. Full sun causes leaf scorch and premature plant decline, particularly in zones 6 and warmer. Water weekly in the absence of rain; leaves wilt visibly when soil dries and may brown at margins. Apply 3 inches (8 cm) of mulch to retain moisture. Foliar scorching by midsummer is common in zones 7-8 in hot, humid summers; cut back scorched foliage to the crown. Plants do not perform reliably in zones 8b and warmer where summer temperatures exceed 90°F (32°C) for extended periods. Division every 4-5 years in early spring maintains vigor; the rhizome crown splits easily by hand.

Pruning

Cut back any scorched or tattered foliage to ground level in midsummer or late summer; new leaves may emerge if temperatures moderate. Cut all foliage to ground level in late fall after frost. Do not prune during the spring bloom period; the flower stems emerge from among the emerging leaves.

Pruning Schedule

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early springfall

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic