VIU Milner Gardens and Woodland

Plant Pick: Siberian Bugloss "Silver Heart"

Latin name:  Brunnera macrophylla 

by Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Silver Heart’, commonly known as Siberian bugloss, is a delightful perennial that is known mainly for its stunning heart-shaped silver leaves with distinctive green veining. This variety shines among shade-loving plants with its intricate foliage and its charming forget-me-not like blue spring flowers. Its luminous, textured leaves provide visual interest from spring to fall, adding colour and interest to darker parts of the garden.

‘Silver Heart’ is a robust perennial that thrives in shaded areas, making it a low-maintenance choice for shaded borders, woodland gardens or even as a groundcover under canopy trees. It is disease-resistant to common foliar diseases, pest-resistant when mature and relatively drought-tolerant once established. It supports biodiversity by attracting bees and other pollinators.

Milner Gardens Silver Heart

Attribute

Description

Form:

Herbaceous perennial growing from rhizomes

Foliage:

Textured, heart-shaped, finely hairy leaves. Leaves are simple and have a basal growth pattern. Width: 4-6” (10-15 cm).

Height/Width:

Height: 10-12 in (15-30). Spread: 12-23 in (30-60 cm). Flower stalk height: 12-14 in (30-36).

Hardiness Zone:

4-8

Exposure:

Part shade to full shade.

Flower shape and colour:

Flower clusters of tiny, bright blue flowers with white eyes. Simple with five rounded petals, roughly star-shaped. 

Leaf colour:

Variegated with deep green veins and edges, with a silvery overlay.

Flower time:

Early to mid-spring, usually late March to May.

Preferred soil

and watering:

Tolerates a wide range of soil textures and pH. Prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil. 

Pests and diseases

Slugs and snails may damage young foliage. Generally trouble-free.

Deer and rabbit resistant.

Other:

Although it prefers consistently moist soil in cool shade, it is fairly drought tolerant once established.

Suitable for borders, rock gardens, containers, accent planting, ground cover and even cut flowers.

Although is mostly spreads slowly by rhizomes, it can also spread by seed. If this is not desired, remove the flower heads once they have started to fade.