Brunnera, Alexanders Great

Alexander’s Great Brunnera lives up to its name with genuinely impressive, broad heart-shaped leaves that are among the largest of any brunnera—creating a bold, lush presence in the shade garden that makes it look far more exotic than its easy-care nature would suggest. Delicate sprays of clear sky-blue flowers in the style of forget-me-nots open in spring, floating above the foliage in cheerful contrast to the plant’s substantial, ground-covering presence. It grows to a tidy mound of twelve to eighteen inches in partial shade with regular moisture, and the handsome foliage remains fresh and attractive throughout the growing season. Deer, rabbits, and most pests leave it alone, making it one of the most reliable choices for low-maintenance shade planting. Pair it with ferns, hostas, and astilbes for a layered, lush-looking woodland border that thrives with almost no intervention. Where you need to fill space in the shade with real presence and elegance, Alexander’s Great delivers.