The Gardening Mistake That's Causing Leaf Scorch On Your Brunnera Plant

The lovely heart-shaped foliage of the brunnera plant (Brunnera macrophylla), also known as Siberian bugloss and false forget-me-not, creates an eye-catching look when paired with its delicate light blue flowers. A unique and attractive plant, brunnera works well planted along borders in a garden for spring blooms. It is also a beautiful plant that will thrive in containers in the shade that is hardy from zones 3 through 8. However, many gardeners make the common mistake of attempting to grow brunnera plants in full sun. But if you're not careful, this is an easy way for a brunnera plant to develop leaf scorch, which damages its unique leaves and compromises the entire plant. 

Leaf scorch, when severe, can cause entire leaves to brown, shrivel up, and fall off a plant. Leaf scorch is easily identifiable on a brunnera plant. When looking at the edge of the leaves, you will see brown areas that spread from the tip of the leaf down and from the margins in. Most often leaf scorch is related to a plant not being able to get enough water during hot, dry weather in summer. Brunnera plants are susceptible to this issue due to their sensitivity to intense light and hot temperatures.

If your brunnera plants are displaying leaf scorch, it might need shade during the hottest, brightest parts of the summer, which you could accomplish with a shade cloth. But you can prevent this issue altogether by remembering some simple tips for growing a healthy garden. The biggest tip is to focus on the plant's growing conditions, because you should never grow a brunnera plant in full sun. Brunnera plants prefer cooler temperatures and will thrive in areas that experience more mild summers. As a precaution, plant this species in a shaded area of your yard, preferably in partial to full shade. Brunnera plants are also a good option to grow below tall trees, because they do well with dappled sunlight. Avoid very dry soil to prevent leaf scorch, but at the same time do not let it sit in wet soil to avoid rot. 

When it comes to landscaping for shady areas, follow a few essential tips for growing a flourishing shade garden. Brunnera plants require semi-shaded conditions, which you can work with when picking a spot for them in the garden. To create an area of consistent light shade where brunnera plants can thrive, consider adding a structure like a pergola to your space. If you have an east-facing garden, you can ensure that it receives only gentle morning sun and shade in the afternoon. Many brunnera plant cultivars can withstand early morning sunlight but will develop leaf scorch from intense afternoon light.