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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Jack Frost

This is a wonderful plant, and it's great to see it win the 2012 Perennial Plant of the Year from the Perennial Plant Association. It's Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost,' good for our hardiness zone and excellent in shade.

It has tiny blue forget-me-not blossoms that create a cloud effect on frosty silver leaves. Recommended uses include in front of a shady border, in containers, and in a perennial bed with hostas, ferns and epimediums. It's outstanding paired with Japanese painted fern.

I've used 'Jack Frost' in containers and even after it's done blooming (mid- to late spring), the leaves are so extraordinary the plant remains eye-catching all summer long.

It grows about a foot tall (the flowers make it seem taller) and can spread 20 inches or so. Makes a nice mound.

Steven Still, head of the Perennial Plant Association, says 'Jack Frost' was selected because it's "outstanding and easily grown." Simple and true.
Posted by Virginia A. Smith @ 11:56 AM  Permalink | Post a comment
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About Virginia A. Smith @ Flower Show
Ginny Smith, a Philadelphia native, joined the Inquirer at 1985. After stints as both reporter and editor in the city and suburbs, she’s been happily writing – and learning - about gardening full time since 2006. She’s won two silver medals of achievement from the national Garden Writers Association and in 2011, Bartram’s Garden honored her with its Green Exemplar award for her stories about “the region’s deeply rooted horticultural history, cultural attractions and bountiful gardens.” She plays in her own – mostly - bountiful garden in East Falls.
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