It's looking very good. I think mine died last year but I'll check in springtime. I did love it.

Oh I hope your brunnera comes back Arlene!

So do I, Tarev.

That's a beautiful grouping Pirl. I like how the silverish leaves of a brunnera light up a shady area.

Thank you, Rose. Now that all the big 55 year old spruces are gone I won't have that shade.

Ouch!! But now you have more room for beautiful blooming plants! I hate when a tree has to come down but sometimes it has to be done. In your case they definitely had to come down.

Oh I love the variegated leaves there Arlene Hope you can find another plant to shade it.

We've lost 20 trees over the years and we've planted about 20 but it takes such a long time to recapture the lost shade.

I have one that gets only late afternoon shade and it went crazy last year! I'm either going to have to move it or a few hostas! I didn't keep the labels of any of mine so I'm not sure of the name, but it seemed to enjoy a lot of sun! I also bought 6 Alexander the Great and spread them throughout my shade beds. I'd love to see them get as big as the pictures but I'm not holding my breath!

Jack Frost and Looking Glass Brunnera are said to tolerate quite a bit of sun although in hot summer areas may need more protection from the hot afternoon sun. Sea Heart and Silver Heart have thicker leaves which can apparently tolerate full sun as long as they get enough moisture.

In my super dry heat area, they have to grow in shade all throughout. Otherwise they will get severely fried here, our humidity is so bad.

I have Jack Frost that has been here for around five years. Self seeded to form two big plants. Plan on rescuing some seedlings this spring for my own experiment by moving them around the yard. Mine is growing on the north side of the garage with a little morning sun.

Glorious, Mike! The perfect plant in an ideal setting.

Wow, Mike - great looking brunnera - and seedlings. I can't figure out what I did wrong. I had beautiful plants and then *poof* gone and no sign of them again. Loved the look but now I'll try something else - maybe one of those new heucheras that are green variegated?

@jerseyridgearts thanks for the compliments. If you don't mind where in NW Illinois are you located ?

@Hazelcrestmikeb Our little place is 40 miles east of Iowa and about 20 south of I88 in the Sauk Vally - Sterling/Rock Falls area -

Catherine

jerseyridgearts said:Wow, Mike - great looking brunnera - and seedlings. I can't figure out what I did wrong. I had beautiful plants and then *poof* gone and no sign of them again. Loved the look but now I'll try something else - maybe one of those new heucheras that are green variegated?

Good luck with the Heucheras. I have such a hard time keeping them alive through the winter. They grow so great all summer but after winter they are no show. The Brunnera grow great for me and I get lots of volunteers. From the one I now have 8 all over the garden.

Catherine, thanks for the answer to my question. You are definitely quite a distance from me.

Hazelcrestmikeb said:Catherine, thanks for the answer to my question. You are definitely quite a distance from me.

I used to commute from Oak Park out here to the farm every week. Had clients in Lansing. Now I !ike to alley drag all the neat gardens and nurseries

Lucky you !