Overview
Brunnera mac. 'Sea Heart' 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. 'Sea Heart' 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. 'Sea Heart' is a clump-forming perennial in the Boraginaceae with heart-shaped, often variegated foliage. It flowers in April to May. Suited to partial shade on moist, neutral loam in north-facing, sheltered spots, it is fully hardy (H7) and works well as ground cover or for underplanting.
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. 'Sea Heart' sits in the Boraginaceae and forms a neat clump of heart-shaped, often variegated leaves that provide early-season structure. Flowering occurs in April to May, making its spring display useful where early-season presence is needed in shaded corners. Plant into a moist, neutral loam in a position that receives partial shade; north-facing, sheltered sites suit it best. It is rated H7, which means it will withstand UK winter conditions without special winter protection. Keep soil from drying out in summer and avoid exposed, sun-baked locations that can stress the foliage. Use 'Sea Heart' as a ground cover for shaded beds or as underplanting beneath larger shrubs where its variegation will lift darker areas. It establishes as a clump and will hold its place without aggressive spreading, so it can be combined with other shade-tolerant herbaceous perennials or used to carpet a north-facing border. The variegated leaves remain a focal point through spring and help brighten sheltered, shaded corners of the garden.
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. 'Sea Heart' 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. 'Sea Heart'
- Propagation
- Division
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Brunnera mac. 'Sea Heart'?
Brunnera mac. 'Sea Heart' prefers partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Brunnera mac. 'Sea Heart' need?
Brunnera mac. 'Sea Heart' grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist.
Is Brunnera mac. 'Sea Heart' hardy in the UK?
Brunnera mac. 'Sea Heart' 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. 'Sea Heart'?
Division.
More in the Brunnera genus
- Brunnera 'Hadspen Cream'Hadspen Cream Siberian Bugloss
- Brunnera 'Variegata'Variegated Siberian Bugloss
- Brunnera mac. 'Betty Bowring'Siberian Bugloss
- Brunnera mac. 'Jack Frost'Siberian Bugloss
- Brunnera 'Langtrees'Siberian Bugloss