'Kings Ransom' and 'Jack Frost' Brunnera - Deer Resistant, Blue!

Kings Ransom Brunnera - Plant Delights Nursery 
A blue flowering plant with variegated leaves for part shade that deer don't like, is easy to grow and tolerates wet  (not soggy) soil!  Yay! 

 I am talking about the spectacular Brunnera 'Jack Frost' (silver foliage with green veins) and a newer variety, 'Kings Ransom'. 

 These tough perennials grow to about 12" -18" high and have made shade gardening more exciting with their wonderful foliage that catches the eye. The blue flowers rise above the heart-shaped leaves and appear in late April and May. They are hardy, native to Siberia, and grow in Zones 3 - 8 (maybe zone 7 is more accurate). 
I planted Jack Frost Brunnera with deer resistant white Angelonia - photo by Jan Johnsen

 They naturalize and self seed but are not invasive. The clumps slowly spread by creeping rhizomes to form a ground cover. They have no serious insect or disease problems. Slugs and snails are occasional visitors.

 Use variegated Brunnera as a specimen or mass as a ground cover. They make great borders in part shade or  along streams or ponds.

 The popular variety, 'Jack Frost' Brunnera, is well known. 'Kings Ransom' was discovered in the summer of 2004 as a sport of 'Jack Frost' at Terra Nova Nurseries in Canby, Oregon, USA. Dan Heims is the breeder.


'Kings Ransom' has the same bold foliage as JF but its leaf is a little narrower. It has a wonderful creamy yellow margin with light frosting throughout. And, while JF has many dark green veins with silvery foliage, 'Kings Ransom' has a few veins and is yellower with a lighter appearance overall. 
Both have the  the same airy clouds of blue forget-me-not flowers in spring:












Comments

  1. UnknownApril 11, 2015 at 8:04 PM

    Wow,I love the colors, exactly what I need ! Perfect timing. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jan JohnsenApril 12, 2015 at 12:15 PM

      Matt, I hope you enjoy them ! plant with hellebore for an early spring, deer resistant display.

      Delete
  2. ejakulasi diniApril 11, 2015 at 9:42 PM

    I am interesting with blog, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. KApril 30, 2015 at 1:55 AM

    These look lovely Jan! I have something very similar to the Jack Frost growing in great drifts in shady spots in our garden - and it's wonderful - they just fill in space, aren't invasive and nothing much troubles them (even my appalling gardening skills!). Thanks so much for sharing with us!

    Thanks for submitting this post to The Sunday Brunch Magazine!

    All the best,

    Eliza & Bel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jan JohnsenMay 3, 2015 at 7:53 PM

      Eliza! how exciting - I must look up The Sunday Brunch Magazine...now..

      Delete

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