Brunnera ALEXANDERS GREAT

The larger than average, highly patterned foliage of this handsome ground-covering plant is ideal for illuminating cool, shadier spots in the garden. In early spring (at around the same time as the foliage emerges), it sends up sprays of small, blue, forget-me-not-like flowers that are held on slender stems, which grow taller as the leaves develop fully. The heart-shaped foliage forms a dense, gently spreading clump, so it's useful for softening the edges of a path or border - and it also looks great when woven through a naturalised setting and teamed with other shade-loving plants such as ferns or hostas.