Brunnera macrophylla ‘Sea Heart’ is a very good plant. I was a skeptic because I've never been able to grow 'Jack Frost' here. However, this plant's thick and rough leaves really do protect it from our heat more. It's a much improved version!


UPDATE: I spoke too soon. The July heat killed these. They are total failures for me here in Tennessee.

Good to know! I failed twice with 'Jack Frost'.

Might have to give it a try, tried Jack Frost to many times.

I ordered a Sea Heart and a Silver Heart from the Santa Rosa clearance sale I figured at that price and that it is living down by you worth a try.

Bob I do not have trouble growing Jack Frost. This may help with your new ones. By the way I ordered the two you ordered too with the herc. 2.99 sale. Anyway...........

Because my Jack Frost grows like a weed I am constantly dividing it and putting it in different places. the new one died if I did not dig deep fill the hole half filled the lots of moist compost then the best soil then watered every day They are all planted in very little sun. About two hrs of sun and filtered sun the rest of the day.

They did ok till the real heat and humidity of Aug.would come around. Have to admit I would never have the time to water every day, lucky if I can get to it once a week. In the new garden these will go in they should get just about no direct sun.

I didn't believe these would be that much better than Jack Frost, but Silver Heart and Sea Heart both do better in the heat and humidity here. The leaves really are thicker. I'll post a photo of Sea Heart tomorrow. It is growing fast. Silver Heart is too.

Here is 'Silver Heart.' It seems to be growing quicker lately. These plants are so healthy. They don't seem weak like 'Jack Frost' was here.

Looks great, glade I ordered both of them.

So @clintbrown are you saying that it goes dormant in summer heat/humidity? I have some hostas that look great in the spring, die back somewhat in the summer and then regrow in the fall and fill back in. Is that what Jack Frost does for you? I've never grown these but I'd like to.

Originally 3 'Jack Frost,' grouping did great for several years...than nothing not sure what happened, the Sea Heart has not done much as far as growth...but it does seem to keep its foliage nicer longer into the season than Jack Frost.

Also have good luck with the variegata

Never see that one around anymore, it has been on the want list.

I have been wanting to try Sea Heart. So far Emerald Mist is the only variegated brunnera I have been able to grow here. It is hard to find, but a really good plant.

Jeanie that is very pretty, I put in both Sea and Silver Heart both are doing well with Silver growing a bit quicker.

I spoke too soon. These died. They couldn't take our late July heat wave.

Clint are you sure they died and didn't just go dormant? Most of my varieties disappear during the summer come back in fall or spring.

keep watering them, they may come back in a month or so. sometimes my hosta do that.

They look dead to me. I don't see one green leaf. I hope they put back out!

I've lost the tag to this one, but it's either 'Sea Heart' or 'Silver Heart'. Whichever it is it's a vigorous grower. I ordered both and they do look a lot alike to me! This one is in full sun until mid afternoon and is doing great here. Not too much damage for this time of year. I've even divided it because it was getting too big here.


Here's another that's in more shade


Alexander's Great is a slow grower for me, but it's still looking pretty good for August.