One of the most beautiful plants that you can find in wooded areas is the so-called Brunnera macrophylla, better known as Ox-tongue. Have you ever seen it?
It is a perennial plant that grows in the field and whose The main characteristic is the small violet or blue flowers that it produces in clusters.How about we tell you about her?
Characteristics of Brunnera macrophylla
Brunnera macrophylla, also known as Ox-tongue or Bugloss, is native to the Caucasus and we could say that it is a field plant. Its natural habitat is in forests and, as it is not too large, it is adapted to living in low light. But that does not make it weaker or less attractive.
Actually, the plant has certain characteristics that will catch your attention. To begin with, Its size, which will be between 20 and 50 centimeters approximately. Then, its leaves. These are heart-shaped.
But the most striking thing is your flowers. They always appear in spring and, if you're lucky, in summer too. They are violet or blue in colour and come out in small clusters. In fact, when the buds are still closed they look rather white or even pink, and as they open the petals take on a bluish hue.
Brunnera macrophylla care
Now that you know Brunnera macrophylla a little better, how about we tell you about the main care options for this plant?
We must start by telling you that it is a very easy to care for plant, and will not give you too many problems. But it is important that you know some of the basic aspects so as not to make mistakes.
Location and temperature
Regarding the location of the Brunnera macrophylla, it is best to place it outside. In fact, it is not an indoor plant, and we do not recommend putting it inside the house.
Outside, try placing it in a semi-shaded site. It needs light, yes, but not too much. Because of its habitat, it is not used to much sun. You could even put it under a tree, as this will give it the shade it needs to prevent the rays from burning its leaves or flowers.
Regarding temperature, the plant is perennial, meaning it can withstand temperatures all year round, although it can suffer when there are intense frosts and care must be taken to avoid this problem.
En general, You won't have any problems with high or low temperatures as long as you pay attention to where you put it.
On the other hand, if you are wondering whether to put it directly in the garden or in a pot, it doesn't matter. In the garden you have the advantage that it will develop and grow, up to its limit, of course. In a pot it will be more controlled.
Substratum
The ideal soil for Brunnera macrophylla is a very drained one. You can use universal substrate and add perlite or similar to prevent it from becoming compacted and to allow it to breathe. In addition, this will help the plant to develop its roots without difficulty.
As for transplanting, you will only need to do this if you have it in a pot. If so, it is best to transplant it when you see that the roots are starting to come out from the base of the pot. As long as they don't do this, you shouldn't worry too much. However, if a long time passes, it might be advisable to change the soil for new soil.
Irrigation
Watering, as with many other plants, is the most important part of Brunnera macrophylla care. In fact, we recommend that you water it often. You should know that this plant always grows near streams or ponds, so it needs moist, but not waterlogged, soil.
On the other hand, you should know that it needs good drainage to prevent water from accumulating and rotting the roots. So try to mix it with perlite or some drainage that is even coarser.
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Regarding fertilization, the plant, despite being a wilder plant, does appreciate fertilizer, and very much so, especially during its flowering season. So you can add a little fertilizer to the irrigation water from the end of winter until the beginning of winter.
In return, you will be able to flourish more.
Plagues and diseases
Pests are one of the problems you need to be aware of. In general, it is resistant to most, but Slugs are their weakness, and something you will have to take into account if you do not want to have a problem with it. Especially because they feed on its leaves and could eat them all.
As for diseases, You will have to be careful not to overwater, as well as too much light intensity. In both cases, the plant will suffer. In the first case, fungi will appear that can affect the roots. In the second case, the leaves and flowers can burn if there is too much light.
Multiplication
Finally, there is the issue of the reproduction of Brunnera macrophylla. And in this case you should know that the way it is carried out is through the seeds of its flowers. In fact, it is common for these to fall to the ground and that makes new plants emerge. These, with the wind, can spread, so it is common sometimes to find little plants of Ox-tongue in other areas of the garden, but in general it is not an invasive plant, far from it.
In some cases, when the plant It is already much more developed, you could choose to separate it into clumps, so that you can create two or more pots with a single plant. To do this, you should check the rhizomes and make sure they are in good condition before separating or cutting them.
As you can see, Brunnera macrophylla is an easy plant to care for, but you need to know a little about it to give it the best care. Do you want to have this plant in your garden?