Brunnera macrophylla: planting, pruning and winter care

Updated on 22 September 2026Published on 14 August 2020

Dense foliage that flashes flicks of silver and deep green, topped through spring by bunches of forget-me-not blue: that is the Caucasian forget-me-not (Brunnera macrophylla). It suits flower beds, edges, rocky ground and garden boxes alike — provided the soil stays cool and drains well, since this plant hates summer drought.

Brunnera macrophylla at a glance
Name	Brunnera macrophylla
Family	Boraginaceae
Type	biennial
Height	12 to 20 inches (30 to 50 cm)
Exposure	part sun
Soil	rather rich and cool
Foliage	deciduous
Flowering	early spring to late spring

Often used to spruce up rocky ground, edges and flower beds, it is a plant that is self-sowing and will cover up sparse and bare spots well.

Planting brunnera

For them to bloom in spring, it is recommended to plant brunnera in fall in a blend of garden soil, soil mix and if possible organic soil conditioner.

It is perfectly possible to plant during springtime and that’s even required for annual and biennial varieties.

As for the sowing, opt for sowing directly in the plot starting from late spring and over the entire summer season.

Brunnera will thrive in places where the hottest hours of the day are covered with a bit of share.
The ground must stay cool, drain well and must be enriched on or before planting.
In waterlogged, poorly draining soil, Brunnera macrophylla might not survive the winter.
Spread plants to about 5 specimens to a square yard (1 m²).

Brunnera jobs through the year

Brunnera asks for very little, but what it asks depends on the season. Here is when to plant, sow, deadhead and water.

Brunnera jobs through the year
Task	When	Why it matters
Planting	Autumn	Gives spring bloom; plant in a blend of garden soil, soil mix and organic soil conditioner
Planting	Spring	Perfectly possible, and required for annual and biennial varieties
Sowing	From late spring, all summer	Sow directly in the plot where the plants are to grow
Deadheading	As flowers fade	More new flowers, larger and longer-lasting
Watering	Warm summer weeks	Keeps the ground cool; brunnera hates summer drought

Regular weeding through the first season helps the plant settle in for the long run.

Pruning and caring for Brunnera

Pruning brunnera

Remove wilted flowers as they appear, since this increases production of new flowers of increasing size and durability.

Once all the flowers and leaves have wilted away, it’s possible to remove airborne portions of the plant that tend to look ungainly.
Eliminate blackened leaves as they appear.

Watering brunnera

Brunnera macrophylla care leads to cute blooming — Deadheading brings on more, larger, longer-lasting flowers

In spring, you can water if it doesn’t rain for a long time.
Provide for regular watering for plants growing potted or in garden boxes.
Over the summer, water often during the warmer weeks.

Regular weeding helps the plant set up shop and settle in for the long run.

Learn more about brunnera

Brunnera is a cute plant with particularly ornamental leaves. It is particularly well suited to cool, moist regions and clay soil is where it will feel best.

In winter, the fuzz helps brunnera macrophylla to resist the cold a bit — Brunnera takes frost down to -22°F (-30°C)

Its foliage, dense and very aesthetic, flashes flicks of silver and deep green.

This cute little perennial that bears nice blue bunches of flowers will find a place in your flower beds, along edges or on rocky terrain, and can also be included in pot arrangements and garden boxes to flower any balcony and terrace.

Care is effortless and its brunnera growth is quick, it will flower abundantly all spring long with a special myosotis-like blue hue all spring long.

Note that brunnera is hardy to the cold and to freezing down to -22°F (-30°C).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does brunnera need sun or shade?

Part sun is what suits it: choose a spot where the hottest hours of the day fall under a little shade. Avoid any place that feels scorching in summer, because brunnera hates summer drought. Cool, moist situations and clay soil are where it performs best.

Is Brunnera macrophylla hardy enough to leave outside in winter?

Yes — brunnera is hardy to the cold and to freezing down to -22°F (-30°C). What kills it is not frost but wet feet: in waterlogged, poorly draining soil it may not survive the winter. Make sure the ground stays cool yet drains freely.

Can brunnera be grown in a pot or window box?

It can: brunnera works in pot arrangements and garden boxes, and will flower a balcony or terrace. Potted plants dry out faster than those in the ground, so provide regular watering. The same part-sun, cool position rules apply.

Does brunnera spread by itself?

Yes, it is self-sowing and will cover up sparse and bare spots well, which is why it is often used on rocky ground, along edges and in flower beds. Growth is quick and care is effortless. Allow about 5 plants to a square yard (1 m²) when setting them out.

Smart tip about brunnera

Avoid locations that feel scorching in summer because brunnera hates summer drought.

Written by Gaspard Lorthiois | Loves helping out, especially when it comes to growing things. Worked in herbal medicine, runs a farm, and dabbles in tech. Master's degree and engineer.

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