Overview
Brunnera mac. 'Betty Bowring' is a plant with a clump-forming habit in the genus Brunnera, part of the Boraginaceae family, with heart-shaped, often variegated foliage. Brunnera mac. 'Betty Bowring' grows best in partial shade, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include ground cover and underplanting.
About
Brunnera mac. 'Betty Bowring' is a clump-forming Brunnera with heart-shaped, often variegated foliage. It favours partial shade and performs best on neutral loam that remains moist. Fully hardy (H7), it suits north-facing, sheltered sites. It flowers in April to May.
About the genus
Brunnera is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. They are rhizomatous perennials, native to the woodlands of Eastern Europe and North West Asia. They have hairy leaves and sprays of blue flowers in spring.
Wikipedia contributors, "Brunnera", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Brunnera
In the garden
Brunnera mac. 'Betty Bowring' belongs to the Boraginaceae and is a cultivar of Brunnera grown for its clump-forming habit and heart-shaped, often variegated leaves. The foliage provides season-long structure while the plant occupies low-growing space at the front of shaded borders. Place it in partial shade on a neutral loam that retains moisture; avoid positions that dry out completely. A north-facing, sheltered aspect reduces exposure to strong sun and drying winds, helping the variegation to remain crisp and reducing scorch on the leaf edges. In UK terms the cultivar is fully hardy (H7), so it tolerates typical outdoor winters without protection when planted in suitable soil. Use 'Betty Bowring' as a ground cover beneath larger shrubs or as underplanting beneath shade-tolerant perennials and deciduous trees. Grouping several clumps will close gaps quickly and create a neat, low layer beneath taller plants. Flowering occurs in April to May, after which the variegated leaves continue to define the bed; place it where the leaf pattern can be seen from paths or seating areas so the clumps contribute to the layered structure of the border.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Brunnera
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist
- Aspect
- North-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Brunnera mac. 'Betty Bowring' size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Clump-forming
- Foliage
- Heart-shaped, often variegated
- Suggested uses
- Ground cover, underplanting
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Brunnera mac. 'Betty Bowring'
- Propagation
- Division
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Brunnera mac. 'Betty Bowring'?
Brunnera mac. 'Betty Bowring' prefers partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Brunnera mac. 'Betty Bowring' need?
Brunnera mac. 'Betty Bowring' grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist.
Is Brunnera mac. 'Betty Bowring' hardy in the UK?
Brunnera mac. 'Betty Bowring' has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Brunnera mac. 'Betty Bowring'?
Division.
More in the Brunnera genus
- Brunnera 'Hadspen Cream'Hadspen Cream Siberian Bugloss
- Brunnera 'Variegata'Variegated Siberian Bugloss
- Brunnera mac. 'Jack Frost'Siberian Bugloss
- Brunnera mac. 'Sea Heart'Siberian Bugloss
- Brunnera 'Langtrees'Siberian Bugloss