PLANT of the week Perennial forgetme-not

Traditional forget-me-nots are great for a quick burst of spring bedding. But their more unusual and long-lived perennial cousin,

Brunnera macrophylla, gives you far more plant power for your money.

Brunnera flowers look just like a regular forget-me-not, but displayed in taller, airier branching sprays held up just above the plant. They first appear in April and continue until mid-June, although in a good summer they’ll often produce a short, late spurt in autumn.

The foliage is pretty good too. Plain green Brunnera macrophylla has attractive heart-shaped leaves, but there are several variegated forms that are stunning.

‘Variegata’ has cream leaves with a green inkspot in the centre of each; ‘Hadspen Cream’ has cream edges to its leaves; and ‘Jack Frost’ has silvery-mottled foliage. The variegated varieties don’t usually flower quite as much as the plain green, but any of them make brilliant ground cover for light-to-medium shade under trees or shrubs.

Brunnera likes well-drained soil and will even grow in dry shade. When well established, it can be dug up and divided in the spring or autumn, but if you don’t want to make new plants it’s a fuss-free perennial that’s quite happy being left alone. It doesn’t need regular attention, although it’s worth removing the dead flower stems to encourage the next flush.

It will spread happily as ground cover, and a mulch and spring feed are appreciated, but not vital.