Content
Brunnera is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Borage family. The genus consists of three species, two of which grow in Russia. The large-leaved brunnera Jack Frost is found only in the North Caucasus and the Middle Zone, the second species grows in Siberia.
Description
The perennial herbaceous Brunnera Jack Frost forms a dense, compact bush. The culture does not grow to the sides, the above-ground mass consists mainly of leaves, only thin peduncles appear in the center during budding.
Jack Frost has good frost resistance and strong immunity
Characteristics of Jack Frost culture:
- The plant is short, reaches a height of 30-50 cm, the diameter of the crown of an adult brunnera is 60 cm. The bush does not fall apart, the central part becomes empty with age, this is a sign that it needs to be divided and replanted.
- The Jack Frost species is prized for its leaf shape and color. They are large, heart-shaped, 20-25 cm long. The lower part is gray with a green tint, rough and densely pubescent with small, thin bristles.
- The upper part of the leaf blade is mesh, with dark green veins and a border along a smooth edge.
- The leaves are attached to long petioles. At the beginning of July, the formation of the above-ground mass ends and the large bright leaves retain their color until late autumn.
- The central stem is short, thick, and pubescent. Thin peduncles are formed on the upper part, which end in corymbose inflorescences protruding in the upper part above the level of the crown.
- The flowers are dark blue or light blue, with a white core, five-petaled, small. Their diameter is 0.5-0.7 cm. Externally, the flowers resemble forget-me-nots. Flowering begins in May and continues until June; if the inflorescences are cut off, the cycle resumes in August.
- The root system is taprooted, weakly branched, the root is long, growing parallel to the soil surface.
For a full growing season, Brunner needs partial shade and moist soil. The culture feels comfortable under the crown of large trees and on the north side of the building. In an open area, burns may appear on the leaves; with a lack of moisture, the crown loses turgor, which is why Brunner Jack Frost loses its attractiveness.
Growing from seeds
Planting material for Jack Frost brunners is collected in mid-July (after ripening). The timing is relative: in the south the crop fades earlier, in temperate climates later. After collecting the seeds, they are treated with an antifungal agent and placed in the refrigerator for 2 days for hardening. You can sow directly into the ground:
- Make furrows 2 cm deep.
- Place the seeds at a distance of 5 cm.
- Cover with compost and water.
Shoots appear after 10 days. When the seedlings rise by about 8 cm, they are transferred to a permanent place. In the winter they are covered with mulch and covered with snow.
On one plot of brunner Jack Frost can grow for more than 7 years. After planting, the plant will enter reproductive age only in the fourth year. The method is unproductive and time-consuming. It is better to grow seedlings, in which case the crop will bloom within 2-3 years.
Technology for growing brunners at home:
- Soil mixed with compost is collected in containers.
- The seeds are stratified, disinfected and treated with a growth stimulant.
- Sowing is carried out according to the same scheme as in an open area.
- Seedlings are grown at a temperature of +16 0C, the soil is kept moist.
- When sprouts appear, fertilize with nitrogen fertilizers.
The material is sown immediately after collection, the containers are left on the site until the temperature drops, to about +50 C, then brought into the room. By spring, the seedlings will be ready for planting.
How and when to plant in open ground
Planting time depends on the material. If Brunnera Jack Frost is bred with seedlings, work begins in the spring, after the temperature has reached +15-17 0C, so the timing is different in each climate zone. In the case of dividing the mother bush - after flowering, approximately in July, August.
Sequence of planting brunners Jack Frost:
- The designated area is dug up and the weeds are removed.
- Make a mixture of peat and compost, add complex fertilizers.
- The recess is made according to the size of the root so that the vegetative buds are above ground level.
- Part of the mixture is poured into the bottom of the hole.
- Place the brunner and cover with the rest of the substrate.
The plant is moisture-loving, so after watering the root circle is covered with mulch.If planting is carried out by dividing the bush, a few leaves are left for photosynthesis, the rest are cut off so that the plant spends its main nutrition on root formation.
Planting material obtained by dividing the bush will bloom next year
Care
The agricultural technology of Brunners Jack Frost consists of carrying out the following activities:
- Watering is carried out constantly. For this crop it is better if the soil is waterlogged. This species will not grow in a sunny, dry area. If the Brunnera is located near a reservoir, it is watered less frequently, guided by precipitation.
- Weeding is required, but loosening is carried out shallowly so as not to damage the root.
- Mulching is also included in the care conditions; the material protects the root from overheating, retains soil moisture and prevents the formation of compaction on the surface. If there is mulch, then there is no need for loosening.
- Fertilizing is applied in the spring using nitrogen. At the time of budding, the plant needs potassium-phosphorus compounds. After flowering, it is advisable to feed with organic matter.
An excess of fertilizers for brunnera is undesirable, because the crop intensively increases its green mass, but the leaves lose their decorative properties and turn a uniform grayish color.
Diseases and pests
The Jack Frost species naturally grows in forest clearings or along the banks of reservoirs. The plant is characterized by strong immunity and practically does not get sick when grown in the garden. If the bush is constantly in the shade, powdery mildew may appear on the leaves. Antifungal drugs are used for treatment.
Among the pests that are dangerous for the variety are aphids and whitefly butterflies, but only when they are widespread in the area. To get rid of insects, plants are sprayed with insecticides.
Trimming
Brunner's Jack Frost does not shed its leaves on its own. After frost they remain on the bush, but lose their decorative effect. In spring, they also do not fall off and interfere with the growth of the young crown. Therefore, before wintering, the plant is cut off completely, leaving about 5-10 cm above the ground.
Preparing for winter
After trimming the above-ground part, the plant is watered abundantly and fed with phosphate fertilizers. The root circle is covered with compost. Straw is placed on top, this is important for regions where winter temperatures drop below -23 0C. In the south the plant does not need shelter.
Reproduction
Generative propagation is practiced in nurseries for the mass cultivation of seedlings. Dividing the mother plant is more often used on the site. After 4 years of growth, this event can be carried out with any bush. It is dug up and divided into parts so that each has 1-2 buds.
Brunnera Jack Frost can be propagated by root shoots. Separate part from the top and cut fragments so that each of them has root threads. This method is less productive and is rarely used. Brunnera can be propagated by cuttings, but no more than 30% of the total material takes root. The plant propagates by self-sowing; seedlings are also used for transplanting to another area.
Photos in landscape design
Because of its colorful leaves, Brunnera Jack Frost is widely used in landscape design as an ornamental plant. The shade-loving plant goes well with all crops.
When planted en masse, Brunnera is used to create borders, create alpine slides, and include the crop in mixborders with flowering plants.
Brunnera is grown solo in flowerbeds or borders
The large-leaved crop looks great in a flower bed with flowering plants and dwarf junipers
The Jack Frost variety goes harmoniously with plain hostas
Conclusion
Brunnera Jack Frost is a herbaceous perennial plant with variegated leaves and blue flowers. The culture became widespread in the North Caucasus. Decorative seedlings are used in landscape design to create borders and mixborders. The Jack Frost species is characterized by simple agricultural technology. This is a shade-loving, stress-tolerant variety that is propagated by division and seeds.
Reviews
Brunner's Jack Frost grows along the shore of an artificial pond. The area is open, but high air humidity protects the bushes from sunburn. Plant care is minimal. For the winter, I cut off the above-ground part and mulch. Even in cold winters the root is not damaged. In spring, Brunnera grows quickly and remains decorative until the end of the season.
