Planting and caring for brunnera in open ground, description of varieties and species

Garden owners have recently increasingly resorted to landscape design to improve the area, decorating it with decorative flowers, the most common of which is Brunnera. This compact shrub pleases the eye with the tenderness and lightness of its flowers, and an unobtrusive and pleasant aroma. In addition, Brunnera is unpretentious and does not require special care, and planting the plant does not take much time.

Description and features

Brunnera is a perennial flowering shrub that can grow in one place without replanting for 15 years, forming dense terry thickets. The height of the plant is 15-60 centimeters, the leaves are heart-shaped, on tall, drooping petioles. The inflorescences are blue, about 10 millimeters in diameter, reminiscent of forget-me-nots, hence the second name of Brunnera - forget-me-not, the only difference is that the core of Brunnera is white.

Growing in open ground

To grow Brunnera in the garden, you should choose a shady area, devoid of constant direct rays, which are detrimental to flowering shrubs. The best solution when choosing a place for planting is when the sun shines in the first half of the day, and the shadow falls in the second half.

Landing dates

Planting should be carried out from the end of July to the beginning of August, choosing the second half of the day for this, preferably in cloudy weather. Spring planting is prohibited, since during this period the bush is susceptible to diseases.

Selection and preparation of seed material

When buying brunnera sprouts, you should pay attention to container options, the further planting of which is much easier. Shoots with an open root system require additional care:

• the plant should be planted immediately - either in the soil or in a pot of soil;
• remove large leaves to reduce evaporation;
• spraying or wrapping with film is detrimental to the sprouts, since Brunnera loves air and is susceptible to humidity.

Any planting material should be free from external damage and look strong and healthy.

Soil preparation

The choice and preparation of soil depends on the type of planting material:

• The large-leaved plant prefers soil with average moisture, looseness and fertility, so the soil should be dug up. There is no need to fertilize so as not to provoke abundant foliage growth;
• It is better to plant Siberian on clay and moist soils, which do not need to be weeded, only controlling the moisture level.

Planting scheme

The easiest way to plant a plant is by dividing the root, which will give youth and strength to the bush:

• after flowering, cut off the ground part, leaving 10 centimeters;
• dig up the roots and rinse thoroughly;
• remove old, rotten and painful ones;
• Divide the main root into parts with a sharp knife so that each has a bud;
• bury parts of the roots into the planting holes, leaving the root collar;
• Water thoroughly and mulch.

Care

Like any plant, brunnera requires some care.

Watering

Regular watering is only necessary if the plant is planted in full sun or the summer is too hot. In other cases, watering several times a season is sufficient.

Loosening and weeding

Weeding of adult brunnera depends on the species, but young bushes should be weeded during transplantation and propagation. The large-leaved plant needs regular protection from weeds, while the Siberian plant does not, since it grows strongly, preventing weeds from appearing.

Important! In addition to weeds, Siberian brunnera can also choke other crops, so you should not forget about the space for its growth.

Loosening is not recommended for all species, since the roots of the shrub are located close to the surface and can be damaged.

Top dressing

In the spring, immediately after the snow melts, the soil needs to be fertilized with mineral fertilizers, scattering granules over the garden bed. Among organic fertilizers, you should choose manure infusion, which is applied once a month.

Diseases and pests

During a rainy summer or excess moisture in the soil, Brunnera may develop powdery mildew or brown spot. Suitable for fighting fungus Bordeaux mixture or Fitosporin, as well as complete removal of all infected parts. Of the parasites, the shrub is subject to attacks by aphids or whiteflies, which can be controlled with chemical or folk remedies.

Preparing for winter

Wintering brunners does not involve any particular difficulties, since the plant is frost-resistant:

• leaves that have not fallen should be removed yourself;
• in severe winters, the soil should be mulched with humus or compost; in other cases, shelter is not needed;
• As the shelter warms, it is necessary to remove and lightly loosen the soil, remembering the roots near the surface.

Transfer

Transplantation is carried out no more often than once every 10 years, in August. Dig up the bed and fertilize it, place a drainage layer at the bottom of the planting hole. Afterwards, dig up the plant and move it to a new place, sprinkle it with earth and compact it thoroughly. Water the transplanted bush and apply sawdust mulch.

Reproduction

It is possible to divide the plant in several ways.

Seeds

Self-seeding of the bush does not occur often. The seeds ripen by the end of July, then a 4-month stratification is required. Planting occurs in winter.

Dividing the bush

As already mentioned, for root division of a bush, you need to trim, wash and clean the roots, followed by further division and planting.

Kinds

Brunnera is divided into several types.

large-leaved

Height – 40 centimeters.Stems are drooping. The leaves are heart-shaped, pointed, dark green. The flowers are dark blue, with a white center. Diameter – about 7 millimeters. Blooms from mid-April to mid-May. Possible re-blooming in autumn.

Siberian

Height – 60 centimeters. The stems are single, drooping, growing in thickets. Leaves: basal – heart-shaped; on the stems - lanceolate. The flowers are dark blue, with a white heart. Diameter – 5 millimeters. Flowering - from late May to late June. From mid-August, landscaping takes place again after temporary drying.

Eastern

It is not used in gardening because it is a wild plant.

Variegated

The plant does not exist as a separate species, but many varieties are called this way for their multi-colored leaves.

Popular varieties

Let's look at the most commonly grown varieties in gardens, descended from the large-leaved species Brunnera.

Millennium Silber

Differences: gray-white spots on the greenery near the edge.

Jack Frost

Height: 60 centimeters. Differences: silver leaf, with green veins. Frost-resistant, needs constant moisture.

Hadspen Cream

Differences: wide, long, about 15 centimeters, sheet framed with a white and beige border.

Langtrees

Differences: flowers are light blue; leaves are emerald, with silver splashes.

Variegata

Or Variegata. Height: 35 centimeters. Differences: dark green foliage gradually turns white. Does not like direct sunlight and loses its greenery during drought.

Looking Glass

Height: 20-30 centimeters. Differences: leaves are silver; flowers are pale blue. Resistant to fungi, loves partial shade.

Kings Ransom

Height: 40-55 centimeters. Differences: the leaves are large, light gray, with dark green veins and a beige border. Flowering period: 2 months, from April.

Important! Repeated flowering in the fall is possible, but the inflorescences should be removed so as not to deplete the bush before wintering.

Silver Hut

Height: 40 centimeters. Differences: the leaves are silver, with a green border and veins. Not afraid of direct sunlight and high humidity.

Usage

Let's consider the use of brunners in various fields.

Medicine

Brunnera is a plant that is not only beautiful, but also useful, as evidenced by its use in folk methods of treatment.

Beneficial features

In folk medicine, the above-ground part of a Siberian bush collected during flowering is used, which is subsequently dried, and then infusions or decoctions are prepared that help with inflammatory processes, high temperature, fever or constipation.

Contraindications

Before using infusions or decoctions, you should consult your doctor to avoid individual intolerance.

Landscape design

Brunnera is used to decorate borders; the plant goes well with stones and ponds, as well as other ornamental flowering shrubs. In addition, the bush can be planted as a hedge, or used to decorate an alpine hill or a multi-tiered flower bed..