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The Daily Insight

How do you care for a Jack Frost plant

Author

Sophia Dalton

Updated on April 17, 2026

Plant ‘Jack Frost’ in part shade (preferably morning sun and afternoon shade) in moist soil with good drainage. Although it prefers soils rich in organic matter, it does well in clay as well. It tolerates more sun than many other variegated cultivars of this species.

How big do Jack Frost plants get?

Clump-forming, this deciduous perennial slowly spreads by creeping rhizomes and grows up to 12-18 in. tall and wide (30-45 cm). Fairly resilient to most pests and diseases, deer and rabbit resistant and is easy to care for. A part shade or full shade lover, it thrives in organically rich, moist and well-drained soils.

Is Brunnera a shade or sun?

Brunnera is a woodland plant that should be grown in full shade and consistently moist soil in southern regions. In the north, morning sun is acceptable as long as the soil remains moist. They will grow the fastest and strongest in rich soil.

How long does Brunnera last?

Once established, little care is required other than supplemental watering and light feeding. When nutrients are not available to Brunnera the leaves turn yellow. The color change is difficult to correct once the natural frosting, veining, or variegation is lost. Life span can be expected anywhere from 3-10 years.

What grows well with Brunnera?

These beautiful spring bloomers are wonderful planted with spring bulbs and other shade loving perennials. The red leaved Heucheras are particularly stunning companions to Brunnera especially the silvery leaved ‘Jack Frost’. Other plants that grow well and look great with Brunnera are Hosta, Astilbe, and ferns.

How do you fertilize brunnera?

Fertilizer/EC Brunnera are not overly heavy feeders, especially at the rooting stage. We use a constant feed of 100 ppm N for plugs and 125 to 150 ppm N for containers. Using the pour-through method, we maintain an EC of 1.5 to 2.5 for plugs and 2.0 to 3.0 for containers.

Will Brunnera spread?

What: Brunnera is a slowly spreading, rhizomatous perennial, native to woodland areas. Season: Flowers appear in early to mid-spring and can last through early summer. Propagation: Divide in fall; take root cuttings in winter.

Is brunnera Jack Frost invasive?

It flourishes in organically–rich, consistently moist-to-wet soils in full sun to part shade. In fact, this plant grows so easily that it is sometimes considered invasive.

What does Jack Frost plant look like?

Small, blue, forget-me-not-like flowers with white centers bloom in airy, branched racemes rising well above the foliage on slender stems to 18″ tall in spring. Basal leaves form a foliage mound which remains attractive throughout the growing season. Smaller upper leaves are elliptic.

Where do you plant Bruna Jack Frost?

Although it prefers moist conditions, brunnera will tolerate dry soil once established, and will spread to form a large clump. This is a gorgeous groundcover plant for the front of a border, or lighting up moist, shady areas under the canopy of deciduous trees, or for edging a woodland path.

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How do you propagate Bruna Jack Frost?

  1. Dig up overcrowded clumps of brunnera with a gardening fork or trowel, being careful not to disturb the roots in the process. …
  2. Shake off excess soil and locate the healthiest roots for division. …
  3. Discard diseased or weak parts of the plant.
  4. Divide the healthy roots into small sections.

How big does Jack Frost brunnera get?

Type:PerennialsHeight:Short 12-15″Spacing:Plant 12-14″ apartBloom Time:Early Spring to Late SpringSun-Shade:Mostly Sunny to Mostly Shady

What can you plant under a bleeding heart?

Classic companions include hostas and ferns. Their foliage is usually picking up speed just as the bleeding heart finishes blooming and begins to decline. Brunnera macrophylla makes a good partner as well. The cultivar ‘Jack Frost’ is very popular.

What can you plant next to a bleeding heart?

Companion Planting and Design Plant bleeding hearts also in a shade garden, plant near ferns, coral bells, hosta, and astilbe. Grow bleeding hearts near spreading perennials, such as lungwort, that will fill in the area once it dies back or plant shade loving annuals, such as begonias, in that spot.

Is Brunnera macrophylla toxic to dogs?

Brunnera ‘Variegata’ has no toxic effects reported.

Is brunnera an evergreen?

Evergreen in warm areas, the dense foliage remains attractive during the whole growing season. Commonly deep green, there is a bevy of new varieties that have incredibly colorful foliage. The leaves can display silver markings or frostings or be variegated.

How do you care for a brunnera plant?

About Brunnera Plants When growing brunnera, locate the plant in part to full shade, and in well-drained soil that can be kept consistently and lightly moist. Brunnera plants don’t do well in soil that dries out, neither will they flourish in soggy soil.

Will deer eat brunnera?

Linda B.: “Yes, brunnera is deer resistant and beautiful right now [April 24]. Its large, textured leaves make it a great plant in the shade garden throughout the summer season.”

Can you split a Jack Frost plant?

Because ‘Jack Frost’ is patented, unlicensed propagation for sale is prohibited. The fibrous-rooted plants can be divided in spring or fall. This cultivar will not grow true from seed.

How do you look after Bruna macrophylla?

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

How do you prune Brunnera?

Pruning Brunnera Carefully remove any reverted (all green-leaved) sections on variegated forms. Cut back old stems after flowering. Cut the whole plant down to ground level in November, taking care not to damage the roots.

Do you cut back Heuchera in the fall?

Heuchera Pruning in Fall Fall pruning is minimal, consisting of removing sun-damaged foliage at its base to reveal fresh leaves emerging from the crown. Any faded flower stalks can be pinched off as well. … Complete pruning early in the season to avoid cold damage to tender new foliage.