Brunnera ‘King’s Ransom’

A Variegated ‘Jack Frost’.

Tolerant of drought and left alone by deer, it defines “low maintenance” in the shade garden.

Plant Patent Applied For. Thank goodness this name refers to the worth of this plant and not its price! A variegated cousin of the famous Brunnera ‘Jack Frost,’ ‘King’s Ransom’ is a glorious sight in spring, changing its hues a bit for summer and remaining attractive right up until frost. Such an easy plant for partial to full shade.

In spring, the new foliage emerges a muted green with a silver overlay that makes the intricate veining stand out brilliantly. Each rounded, heart-shaped leaf (up to 5 inches across) is brightly edged in yellow. This color softens to cream in the summer heat, but the variegation remains true, refusing to green out.

But the foliage is only part of the appeal. In early spring the plant is topped by sprays of bright blue blooms that may remind you of Forget-Me-Nots. These last for several weeks, welcoming the season of growth back into the shade garden.

‘King’s Ransom’ reaches only 15 to 18 inches high and 18 to 24 inches wide, but it makes a big impression even in a modest planting. It thrives in moist, enriched soil, but once established can tolerate drought. Deer find it unpalatable, so you can plant it in open settings, and its three seasons of changing color keep it lovely in any site. Zones 5-9.