7 Best & 4 Worst Alexander’s Great Brunnera Companion Plants

One of my favorite plants to work with is Alexander’s Great Brunnera, a stunning perennial known for its large, heart-shaped leaves and delicate blue flowers. In this article, I’ll share with you the 7 best and 4 worst companion plants for Alexander’s Great Brunnera, ensuring your garden is a thriving, harmonious ecosystem.

Good Alexander’s Great Brunnera Companion Plants

Hostas

Why Hostas are a Great Companion: Hostas, with their lush foliage and shade tolerance, complement Alexander’s Great Brunnera by creating a dense ground cover that reduces weed growth. Their varied leaf textures and colors can accentuate the Brunnera’s striking foliage, making them ideal companions for a visually appealing shade garden.

• Step-by-Step Planting Guide:
  1. Choose a location with partial to full shade, mirroring the Brunnera’s preferred conditions.
  2. Ensure the soil is rich, moist, and well-draining.
  3. Plant Hostas and Brunnera about 18 inches apart to allow room for growth.
  4. Mulch around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
  5. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil consistently moist.

Explore more about planting Hostas together with Alexander’s Great Brunnera and other plants in our detailed post.

Ferns

Why Ferns are a Good Match: Ferns bring texture and greenery to the garden, thriving in the same shady spots as Alexander’s Great Brunnera. Their delicate fronds create a beautiful contrast with the Brunnera’s bold leaves, enhancing the garden’s depth and interest.

• How to Plant Together:
  1. Select a shady spot that avoids direct afternoon sun.
  2. Prepare the soil to be rich in organic matter and well-draining.
  3. Space the plants approximately 24 inches apart to prevent overcrowding.
  4. Water the plants deeply after planting to settle the soil around the roots.
  5. Maintain consistent moisture levels in the soil, as both plants enjoy similar watering needs.

Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding Hearts: A Heartfelt Companion: The romantic droplets of Bleeding Hearts’ flowers offer a soft, whimsical look that contrasts beautifully with the robust nature of Alexander’s Great Brunnera. Both plants prefer shaded environments, making them a match made in garden heaven.

• Planting Instructions:
  1. Opt for a location that receives morning sun and afternoon shade.
  2. Ensure the soil is enriched with compost to boost moisture retention and drainage.
  3. Space the plants about 12-15 inches apart, considering their mature sizes.
  4. Apply a layer of organic mulch to maintain soil moisture and temperature.
  5. Keep the soil moist, especially during the growing season, to support their lush growth.

Solomon’s Seal

Solomon’s Seal: A Complementary Companion: Solomon’s Seal adds height and graceful arching lines to the garden, pairing well with the low-growing Brunnera. Its white or green-tipped flowers in spring provide a lovely contrast against the bold foliage of Alexander’s Great Brunnera, making it an excellent choice for shaded or woodland gardens.

• How to Grow Together:
  1. Select a shaded area where both plants can thrive away from the harsh afternoon sun.
  2. Plant in soil that has been amended with organic matter to ensure good drainage and fertility.
  3. Space Solomon’s Seal and Brunnera at least 20 inches apart to allow for their natural spread.
  4. Water thoroughly after planting and maintain even soil moisture throughout the growing season.
  5. Apply a light layer of mulch to help keep the roots cool and moist.

Astilbes

Astilbes: A Splash of Color: Astilbes bring a burst of color to the shade garden with their feathery plumes of flowers in pink, red, white, and purple hues. Their preference for moist, shady conditions makes them perfect companions for Alexander’s Great Brunnera, offering a varied texture and height contrast.

• Planting Side by Side:
  1. Choose a location that is well-shaded, ideally receiving only morning sunlight.
  2. Prepare the soil by incorporating plenty of organic matter to enhance moisture retention.
  3. Space Astilbes and Brunnera about 18-24 inches apart, depending on the variety.
  4. Water deeply after planting, and keep the soil consistently moist throughout the season.
  5. Mulch around the plants to help retain soil moisture and reduce weed competition.

To understand why Astilbes make such great companions for Alexander’s Great Brunnera, check out our article for more information.

Japanese Painted Ferns

Japanese Painted Ferns: A Textural Dream: The silver and green variegated fronds of Japanese Painted Ferns add a cooling effect to the garden, beautifully complementing the texture and form of Alexander’s Great Brunnera. Both plants enjoy similar moist, shady conditions, making them ideal partners.

• Growing Together:
  1. Find a spot in the garden that is shaded for most of the day.
  2. Amend the planting area with plenty of compost to enrich the soil.
  3. Plant the ferns and Brunnera with a spacing of about 15-20 inches apart.
  4. Water well after planting to establish, then maintain consistent soil moisture.
  5. Mulch lightly to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Lungwort

Lungwort: A Harmonious Match: Lungwort’s spotted or variegated leaves and early spring flowers in shades of pink, blue, and white offer an appealing contrast to the solid greenery of Alexander’s Great Brunnera. Both plants share a love for the shade and moist, well-draining soils, making them excellent companions.

• How to Plant Together:
  1. Choose a shaded garden spot where both plants will be protected from the hot afternoon sun.
  2. Enrich the soil with a generous amount of organic compost to improve fertility and drainage.
  3. Space Lungwort and Brunnera approximately 12 inches apart to accommodate their growth.
  4. Water the plants thoroughly after planting and keep the soil moist, especially in dry periods.
  5. Apply a thin layer of mulch to help retain soil moisture and keep the roots cool.

Plants to Avoid Planting with Alexander’s Great Brunnera

Black Walnut Trees

Why to Avoid: Black Walnut Trees produce juglone, a chemical harmful to many plants, including Alexander’s Great Brunnera. This substance can stunt growth or even kill susceptible plants, making it crucial to keep Brunnera far away from these trees.

Eucalyptus Trees

Why to Avoid: Eucalyptus Trees are known for their allelopathic properties, which can inhibit the growth of surrounding plants, including Alexander’s Great Brunnera. Their roots also compete aggressively for water and nutrients, making them poor companions.

Bamboo

Why to Avoid: Bamboo can be invasive and its aggressive root system can quickly overtake the garden space, competing with Alexander’s Great Brunnera for resources and potentially crowding it out.

Large Shrubs or Trees

Why to Avoid: Large shrubs or trees can create too much shade or compete heavily for water and nutrients, which can negatively affect the growth and health of Alexander’s Great Brunnera. Choose companions that have similar size and resource requirements to ensure harmony in the garden.

Companion Planting Chart for Alexander’s Great Brunnera

Good Companions	Reasons to Plant Together
Hostas	Enhances visual appeal with contrasting textures
Ferns	Adds depth with delicate fronds
Bleeding Hearts	Offers whimsical floral contrast
Solomon’s Seal	Provides height and graceful arches
Astilbes	Introduces vibrant colors to the shade garden
Japanese Painted Ferns	Adds silver-variegated texture
Lungwort	Complements with variegated leaves and colorful flowers

For more insights and detailed guides on creating a thriving garden with Alexander’s Great Brunnera and its companions, be sure to explore all our posts. Your garden is a canvas—paint it with the harmonious beauty of companion planting!