Content
Brunnera variegata is a herbaceous perennial. The plant is often found as an element of landscape design. Planting and caring for a flower has its own characteristics.
Description of Variegata Brunners
The plant is a spreading bush. The stems of the Variegata variety are densely leafy, slightly rough and pubescent.
The shape of the leaf blades is oblong, heart-shaped, but with a pointed end. The leaves are green above and have a grayish tint below. At the edges they fade to a creamy shade during the summer season.
The flowers of the plant are of a deep blue hue with a white spot in the center: externally, the buds resemble forget-me-not inflorescences
The buds of the Variegata variety bloom in late April or early May and fade within a month. If the autumn is warm, the plant may bloom again.
Brunnera Variegata has good frost resistance: the bushes do not die at temperatures down to -29 °C.
Where does it grow
The Caucasus is considered to be the homeland of Brunners. The plant is surprisingly unpretentious.The bush grows happily in a place where there is a lot of sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon.
Growing from seeds
Seed material is available for purchase at flower shops. It must be stored in the refrigerator so that it undergoes stratification. The optimal planting time is February or early March.
Flower soil or soil from the garden mixed with humus is poured into a clean container equipped with ventilation. Furrows are made on the surface of the soil, seeds are laid out in them, and covered with earth. The box with future seedlings is transferred to the refrigerator and left there for stratification for 4 months.
During the stratification period, it is necessary to ensure that the soil is moistened; hypothermia or overheating of the seeds should not be allowed: the temperature should be no lower than 0 ° C and no higher than + 5 ° C
After the time has passed, you need to remove the container and transfer it to the windowsill. Sprouts should appear over the next 2 weeks. Caring for the plant without special features: watering, removing weeds, fertilizing with complex products 2 times a month.
Flowering when planting Brunnera Variegata seeds occurs only in the third year after the flower is transferred to open ground
Landing in the ground
And although Brunnera Variegata is undemanding in terms of care, knowledge of the peculiarities of growing the crop allows you to get a strong and healthy plant. Without replanting, in good conditions, the bush can grow in one place for up to 15 years.
Site selection and preparation
It is recommended to find a place in the garden where there is well-moistened soil mixed with clay.On fertile lands fertilized with manure, Brunner Variegata grows abundantly, which leads to disruption of the stages of plant development. Unlike leaves, the rhizome does not have time to form so that the flower can successfully overwinter.
No special soil preparation is required: dig well and remove weeds and debris. If the soil is completely clayey, then you need to add compost to the planting hole.
Planting stages
It is recommended to move Brunnera Variegata into open ground in June-July to give the plant sufficient time to prepare for winter. A bush planted in the spring can be infected by infections from the soil.
The plant is unpretentious: place the seedling in the prepared planting hole, deepen it slightly so that the root collar is at ground level, then sprinkle with soil and water generously. The top layer of soil must be mulched.
If the plant has a well-formed root system, then planting in open ground is carried out as follows:
- cut off the above-ground part, leaving the petioles of the basal leaves;
- inspect the rhizome, remove rotten or damaged parts;
- dig holes and place the plants there, making sure that the root collar is not covered with soil;
- Water the bush thoroughly and mulch it.
Most gardeners prefer to plant Brunnera Variegata at a short distance from each other: the plant grows very quickly and has a compact root system
The recommended distance between seedlings is 30-40 cm, but Brunnera grows well even in cramped conditions, so if there are a lot of bushes, they are planted more often.
Care
Brunnera Variegata is a moisture-loving crop, so it is recommended to moisten the soil as it dries out. On cloudy days and the rainy season, the procedure is performed less frequently.
A mandatory stage of care is mulching.It is carried out not only to preserve moisture in the soil, but also to protect the plant from slugs. It is recommended to use sawdust, limestone or coffee grounds as mulch.
Gardeners successfully mulch Brunnera Variegata with small twigs and leaves, which allows them to simultaneously provide the plant with useful substances
All dried leaves, broken shoots or wilted buds must be removed throughout the season.
Diseases and pests
High humidity and shade are common causes of powdery mildew or brown spot. They are characterized by the appearance of whitish or brownish spots on the leaf blades.
To combat diseases, remove the affected parts of the plant and reduce watering. Among antifungal agents, it is recommended to use Bordeaux mixture, Fundazol.
The rhizomes of Brunnera Variegata are very attractive to rodents, so it is recommended to regularly stir up the mulch layer.
Trimming
The first pruning is carried out immediately after flowering: all buds are removed. If you leave them on the plant, fruits will form. Brunners will spend a lot of effort on their maturation, which will negatively affect the appearance of the bush.
The second pruning is carried out upon request: if the second wave of flowering has begun, it is recommended to remove the buds. Brunnera Variegata will not have time to accumulate enough strength by winter for a successful winter if the flowers are left.
Preparing for winter
There are no special preparations for the winter period. Leaf blades need to be trimmed. Brunner Variegata does not need shelter. If the crop is grown in the northern regions, then you can cover the roots with a layer of mulch.
Some gardeners do not prepare the plant for wintering in any way: with the onset of frost, the leaves die off, but the roots successfully survive the season.
Reproduction
Brunnera Variegata quickly spreads throughout the area if it is not contained in time. But if you need to propagate the bush, then use the division method.
To do this, the bush is dug up, divided into several parts and planted. Before planting, parts damaged or affected by pests are removed from the cuttings.
It is necessary to ensure that the separated rhizome has several small roots: this will increase the chances of the seedling to gain a foothold in the ground
Another method of propagation is through seeds. Brunnera often spreads by self-sowing if the flowers are not removed in time.
Photos in landscape design
Since the bush grows very lush, it is used to create alpine hills, flower beds, and mixborders.
The bush is low-growing, so it is planted in the foreground or among other flowers that love moisture and partial shade.
In oriental styles, the landscape implies the presence of a water source, so Brunnera Variegata feels great near artificial reservoirs and fountains.
You can also use brunnera as a home decoration by planting it along the building.
You can also plant Brunnera variety Variegata near garden paths to create beautiful compositions: the bush will gradually grow, forming a green carpet
Good neighbors for brunners are peonies, rhododendrons, and hostas. Beautiful compositions can be created if you place juniper or bitterweed or fern next to it.
Brunnera Variegata is often planted under trees, with decorative driftwood or garden furniture placed next to it.
Conclusion
Brunnera Variegata is an unpretentious, beautiful perennial. It tolerates low temperatures well, but is demanding of moisture and loves shade.The plant is used to create landscape design in parks and gardens. It should be borne in mind that the Variegata variety grows quickly.
