Picking between brunnera sun or shade is easy. You should pick shade for the best plants. This perennial loves dappled or partial shade. The bright leaves keep their silver marks. They will not burn or fade.
I learned this the hard way my first year. I planted a row of Jack Frost brunnera along a south facing fence. By July, those poor plants had crispy brown edges. They looked half dead. The ones I moved under my oak tree bounced back within two weeks.
Brunnera light requirements are simple once you know what to look for. The thin, papery leaves lose water fast under direct sun. This causes wilting and ugly brown patches along the edges. Strong sun also fades the silver patterns that make these plants worth growing in the first place.
Morning sun until about 11 AM works fine for brunnera. It can even bring out brighter leaf colors. Brunnera partial shade conditions are perfect for these plants. The plant gets a few hours of soft morning light. Then it gets full shade for the rest of the day.
Brunnera afternoon sun causes the most damage. The rays come in hot and direct when the air is at its warmest. You will see leaves curl up and turn brown along the edges. This damage shows up within days of a hot spell. Plants in these spots rarely look good for the rest of the season.
The best spots to plant brunnera are simple to find. Try under deciduous trees for great results. East facing borders also work well. So do spots next to taller perennials that throw shade in the afternoon. I have my best clumps tucked under a young maple. They get filtered light all day long.
North facing walls also work great for brunnera if you have one in your yard. Test your chosen spot before you plant. Check the light at noon, 2 PM, and 4 PM on a sunny day. You want bright but indirect light at those peak hours.
Spots that pass this test will give you lush foliage and bright blue spring blooms. Your plants will keep their silver leaf patterns all season long. Pick the shade and your brunnera will thank you with years of healthy growth and pretty blooms each spring.
Watch out for spots that get sun in May but shade by July. The bare tree branches in spring let in lots of light at first. Once the leaves fill in, the same spot turns dark and cool. These spots work well for brunnera most of the year.
Soil moisture also plays a big role with light needs. Plants in more sun need more water to cope with the heat. Even then, you may see some leaf damage on hot days. Stick with shade and steady moisture and your brunnera will look its best all season long.
Read the full article: Brunnera Plant Growing and Care Guide
