Brunnera 'Jack Frost'
Best shade-loving perennial for adding elegant texture to woodland gardens.
Brunnera 'Jack Frost' is an exceptional improvement on classic varieties, boasting heart-shaped leaves with intricate silver veining against a green background. These striking leaves face upwards, providing a perfect stage for the plant's brilliant blue flowers that emerge in early spring. Growing to a mature height of 12-15 inches and a spread of 18 inches, 'Jack Frost' thrives in partially shaded gardens. It prefers acidic soil and is well-suited for planting alongside other shade-loving perennials like hostas and ferns, adding a touch of elegance and year-round interest to borders and beds.
$25.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
831
/ 2989
#831 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-6%
Below average
Genus
Brunnera
/ Brunnera
Who it's for
- Busy gardeners wanting low-effort, deer-proof landscape accents
- Gardeners seeking high-impact color for dark, shaded spaces
- Homeowners looking to brighten dim, neglected garden corners
Who should skip it
- Designers requiring year-round structural interest in garden beds
- Gardeners in arid climates without reliable irrigation systems
- Landscapers working with sunny, exposed planting sites
Performance breakdown
Foliage Visual Impact
Intricate silver veining creates a stunning, high-contrast focal point for shade.
Shade Garden Versatility
Pairs effortlessly with hostas and ferns to elevate woodland planting schemes.
Hardiness and Resilience
Reliably withstands cold snaps and thrives in less-than-ideal soil conditions.
Seasonal Bloom Quality
Brilliant blue spring flowers provide a vibrant, early-season color pop.
Growth Habit Consistency
Dense, mound-shaped structure maintains a tidy, elegant appearance all season.
Maintenance Requirements
Low-effort perennial that rewards gardeners with minimal intervention needed.
Key Specs
Genus
Brunnera
Species
macrophylla
Variety
'Jack Frost'
ppaf
PP13859
Item Form
1-Quart
Zone
3 - 7
Bloom Start to End
Early Spring
Habit
Mound-shaped
Features
- Elaborately veined silvery leaves resemble moss on stepping stones.
- Leaves face upwards, showcasing their beauty.
- Brilliant blue flowers bloom in early spring.
- Dense, plump plant habit.
- Tolerates cold snaps and poorly fertilized soil.
- Complements shade garden staples like ferns and hostas.
- Provides winter interest.
What customers say
Customers consistently express high satisfaction with the Brunnera 'Jack Frost', primarily commending its exceptional aesthetic design. Gardeners frequently highlight the plant's striking silver variegated leaves, which provide a brilliant focal point in shaded landscapes. A strong theme is the plant's robust quality and reliable performance; many report plants arriving healthy and establishing easily, thriving beautifully with minimal care. Its consistent growth and enduring beauty make it a highly valued and dependable choice for enhancing garden appeal.
Know before you buy
This plant thrives in partial shade. It is an excellent choice for areas of your garden that receive dappled sunlight or morning sun followed by afternoon shade.
Yes, 'Jack Frost' is hardy in zones 3 through 7. It is quite resilient and capable of tolerating unexpected cold snaps during the early spring season.
It prefers acidic soil for optimal growth. While it is adaptable and can tolerate poorly fertilized soil, ensuring the ground is well-draining will help the plant maintain its dense, mound-shaped habit.
Because of its striking silver-veined foliage, it pairs beautifully with other shade-loving perennials like hostas and ferns. Its upward-facing leaves provide a sophisticated texture contrast against the broader leaves of hostas.
Absolutely. While it produces brilliant blue flowers in early spring, the intricate, heart-shaped silver leaves remain attractive throughout the growing season and provide visual interest well into the winter months.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$26