I think our very dry conditions is limiting the growth on my Brunnera. I just try to water it much more frequently. Took me awhile to get used to doing that since majority of my other plants are succulents that do not require frequent watering. Had to give this one something extra water wise.

I remember it was a bit taller and bigger when I got it in 2013, then after repot it just settled on to that height and growth later on. And I am not keen in giving fertilizers, so my Brunnera continues on smaller. As long as it endures our summers and blooms in Spring, it will stay.

As a rule, I don't fertilize perennials anymore unless I'm planting or transplanting. I don't think my thugs have gotten fertilizer in over 10 years. But they do get unintentionally mulched with fall leaves.

Ditto. They have to survive on their own without any additional food from me. They all get compost when they're planted and they get mulch. That's it! I can't imagine feeding each of 500 lilies, 100 clematises, hundreds of irises, too many hydrangeas, over 60 dahlias, roses, hundreds of daylilies - who is it that has 60 hours a day to do it?

I used to feed my Astilbes regularly because I had read that they do like their fertilizer. Stopped doing that several years ago as I really didn't see much difference. I'm still torn about whether to fertilize hydrangeas to get them to bloom but I think it's the newer varieties that need that extra push to bloom. I'm coming to the conclusion that plants have to earn a spot in my garden or it's just not meant to be. Currently, 'Endless Bummer' is raising a big question mark for me. Second winter that it's died back to the ground and won't recover this year enough to bloom.

The best Hydrangea for me is Twist 'n Shout. It blooms even when it freezes to the ground.

Maybe my season is just too short for it to recover enough to bloom. 'Tardiva' got hit again as well and it's supposed to be suited for our climate. 'Annabelle' , 'Limelight' and 'Blue Billow' seem to do fine. My garden's micro-climate and exposure must not be the best.

Part of the problem may have been the two consecutive freezing and snowy winters. I've had to prune the dead wood out of too many hydrangeas both last year and this year. I'm sure I won't get done soon enough. Tardiva and Limelight are always fine here, just as Quickfire and Pink Diamond as well as Beni Gaki but so many of the others were hit so hard.

Shadegardener said:I used to feed my Astilbes regularly because I had read that they do like their fertilizer. Stopped doing that several years ago as I really didn't see much difference. I'm still torn about whether to fertilize hydrangeas to get them to bloom but I think it's the newer varieties that need that extra push to bloom. I'm coming to the conclusion that plants have to earn a spot in my garden or it's just not meant to be. Currently, 'Endless Bummer' is raising a big question mark for me. Second winter that it's died back to the ground and won't recover this year enough to bloom.

My Endless Bummer went to the compost last week. Was barely sprouting out and had died all the way down. I do have a Ruby Slippers Oak Leaf that is doing great, looks like it is already forming blooms.

I keep a bucket of manure water and just water things when I see they need an extra boost. My dl get divided every 3or 4 years and I ammend the soil then. I don't do anything much for iris, but I will fertilize my roses and clems. Peony gets nothing.

I thought I killed my Incrediball Hydrangea, but it's actually going to be huge this year. I guess that's another one that grows for me here. I love Hydrangeas. I wish I had room for more!

Wow, Frilly - I would have thought that 'EB' would have done well in your neck of the woods.
Clint - TN loved DD's hydrangeas. They all bloomed beautifully. I was always jealous. A few moved with her to MI but getting them settled under maple trees has been challenging.

well Clint, zone 7 is probably heaven for hydrangeas and crepe myrtle and butterfly bushes and azaleas and rhodies. All things I have given up on!

I'm not so sure about Creme Myrtles. I had a lot of die back this year. It's so annoying.

"Creme" myrtles? Is the like creme brulee?

Ha. I don't know why spell check changed that. What a day!

I got a Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea today! After Clint posted pics last year I've been looking for it, and yay! I found one!

I love that one! It gets huge. I've been working on a hedge of them. I might put some Limelights in one section.

I repotted my Brunnera macrophylla in late November2015 , and for awhile I thought I will lose it.
But things are improving much better this Feb 2016! Our temps warmed up nicely and it is in a shady corner.

02Feb2016


04Feb2016


16Feb2016

looks good - our winters proved to be too much for the brunnera. Such a handsome plant - it's a shame we can't grow it.

I love the brunnera! I can't wait to see mine again. Your plant is looking happy and healthy!

Thanks Catherine and Rose! I was worried at first, I thought I did not bury enough the neck or roots, thankfully it does not seem to mind, but I just added some soil again to cover that part. Tomorrow we will finally get some rain back yey!