Getting it to bloom
Why won't my Variegata Brunnera bloom? (and how to make it flower)
Also called Variegata Siberian bugloss, cream-edged brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla 'Variegata').
More about variegata brunnera
About Variegata Brunnera
Brunnera macrophylla 'Variegata' · also called Variegata Siberian bugloss, cream-edged brunnera · flowering
Variegata is a Siberian bugloss with large heart-shaped leaves boldly edged in creamy white, topped in spring by sprays of airy blue forget-me-not flowers. This clump-forming, woodland perennial brightens shady borders but needs cool, consistently moist soil and shelter, as its cream margins scorch readily in sun, wind, or drought.
Plant type: flowering
The reasons variegata brunnera isn't blooming
Almost every non-blooming variegata brunnera traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:
- Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
- Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
- The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
- Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
- It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.
Feeding variegata brunnera a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
The fix — how to get variegata brunnera to flower
- Maximise sun. Give variegata brunnera the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
- Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
- Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
- Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.
Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for variegata brunnera and get the feeding right with the variegata brunnera fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.
Bloom season and what to expect
Variegata Brunnera flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
Post-bloom care so it flowers again
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full variegata brunnera care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.
Variegata Brunnera blooming — frequently asked questions
Why won't my variegata brunnera flower?
Variegata Brunnera blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
How do I make variegata brunnera bloom?
Give variegata brunnera the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
When does variegata brunnera normally bloom?
Variegata Brunnera flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
What should I do with variegata brunnera after it flowers?
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
What is the single biggest mistake stopping variegata brunnera flowering?
Feeding variegata brunnera a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
Keep reading
- Variegata Brunnera care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- Variegata Brunnera light needs — usually the first thing to fix for flowers
- Variegata Brunnera fertilising — the right feed for buds, not just leaves
- Should I water my plant? The simple check
- Why is my plant wilting? Wet vs dry
- Underwatered plant — signs and rehydration
- Why won't my peace lily bloom?
- Why won't my jade plant bloom?
- Why won't my tomato bloom?
- All 1410 bloom guides in the Growli library