Perennial · Boraginaceae family
largeleaf brunnera
Brunnera macrophylla
In short a 10-second read
Largeleaf brunnera (perennial) grows to 0.3–0.45 m tall and 0.45–0.75 m wide when mature. It grows best in part shade to shade, in average to moist soil. It flowers in April–May; the flowers are blue or white. Hardy to −37 °C.
× spread 0.45–0.75 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in part shade to shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −37 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: humus-rich, loamy, clay, sandy
Soil pH 5.5–8
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 2–5 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
April–May · blue or white
Planting
container plant: March–May, September–November
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −37 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −37 °C
- Dies back in winter and regrows in spring
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Christmas rose
0.2–0.3 m
Spotted Dead-nettle
0.08–0.25 m
ivy-leaved cyclamen
0.1–0.15 mReady-made Studio combinations that include largeleaf brunnera
Astilbes, masterwort and blue brunnera brighten part shade from April…
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does largeleaf brunnera flower?
In April–May; the flowers are blue or white.
Does largeleaf brunnera tolerate shade?
Yes, it tolerates full shade.
How much space does largeleaf brunnera need?
At maturity 0.45–0.75 m wide and 0.3–0.45 m tall; recommended spacing 41 cm.
Does largeleaf brunnera survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −37 °C.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 18 expert sources. Last checked 28 September 2026.
Show sources (18)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Brunnera macrophylla
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Brunnera macrophylla
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Brunnera macrophylla
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Brunnera macrophylla
- Wikidata (CC0) — Brunnera macrophylla
- RHS Plant Finder
- Bamberger Staudengarten (Strobler), katalóg
- Gärtnerei Strickler, katalóg
- Foerster-Stauden, katalóg
- Stauden-Stade
- Iowa State Extension - How to Plant Perennials
- RHS - How to grow perennial plants
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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