3 Common Brunnera Jack Frost Problems – Which You Should Know

The Brunera Jack Frost plant’s heart-shaped leaves and grey color pattern attract any gardener.  Hence it is the first choice of many as a winter tree. But there are some issues that make a Jack Frost lover frustrated;  such as

  1. Leaves Turning Brown 
  2. Not Blooming
  3. Tips Curling 

So if you are a Jack Frost lover you must know more about these problems and think about solutions. In this article, I will help you with that. Then let’s get started.

3 Brunnera Jack Frost Problems + Fixing Guide

1. Leaves Turning Brown

Brunnera Jack Frost Leaves Turning Brown

If the leaves of your mixed white and green Brunera Jack Frost plant suddenly turn brown, it is definitely a cause for concern. It is usually of two types. One is brown spots on the leaves and the other is the entire leaf turning brown. The root cause of both problems is the same.

Causes

  • Dry Soil
  • Sunburn
  • Lack of Water
  • pests

Treatment Guide

Brunera jack forest plants generally prefer moist soil. So make sure your soil is not always dry. For this, you can use a moisture meter. I always use organic compost to increase the water-holding capacity of the soil and believe me it works really well. Use Fertile, Alkaline or 

Neutral Soil.

Since your plant likes moist soil, you understand that it needs frequent watering. If we consider a scale of one to five then after applying water let the soil dry up to level three and then apply water again.

Five to six hours of full sun, four to five hours of partial sun, and five to six hours of full shade are all you need to nurture your Brunnera Jack Frost plant. 

If it is indoors then you can place it next to an east-facing window. Then your plant will get optimum sunlight. If it’s in the landscape you can use a shade cloth for the rest of the day.

A good quality insecticide should be used to protect against pests like aphids and slugs. 

2. Not Blooming

Brunnera Jack Frost Not Blooming

Mid spring to late spring is mainly a flowering time for Brunnera Jack Frost.  But there are certain criteria, if you are not able to fulfill them your plant will not bloom.

Causes

  • Lack of nutrients
  • Poor Soil
  • Lack of Sunlight

Treatment Guide

Nitrogen deficiency is the main cause of your plants not blooming at the right time. In this case, you need to ensure an adequate supply of nitrogen. Good quality soil usually contains sufficient nitrogen. You can use an NPK (10-10-10) as an extra. 

Besides, I am telling you a very easy way to make nitrogen fertilizer at home. For this, you will need some grass and your urine. Yes, you read that right. 

Mix some grass clippings with water in a 4-5 gallon container and leave for two days. Mix two cups of urine and 1/4 cup of Epsom salt in another bowl and add the mixture to the grass bowl, done;  Apply it to the soil once a month.

If you put your plant in a place where it doesn’t get enough light and heat and you have no choice, you can do one thing. Place a piece of mercury glass in a sunny spot in your home and position it to reflect sunlight onto your Brunnera Jack Frost.

3. Tips Curling

If your healthy Jack Frost plant suddenly dries up and the tips start to shrivel up, that’s a real concern. Most gardeners face this problem of Jack Frost. This is a problem that quickly destroys the beauty of your tree.

Causes

  • Sunburn
  • Lack of Water
  • Fertilizer burn
  • High temperature

Treatment Guide

Regular watering is recommended for new plants. They should be watered until they are mature. If your area is summer-dominated then water should be applied before the soil dries out. It is best not to plant tree in very hot weather.

Jack Frost is usually a shade and cool-loving plant. Five to six hours of sunlight during the day is enough. If it is in your room, you can keep your plant away from the window or balcony for the rest of the day. During the summer, I would suggest growing brunneras under a shade cloth of 30-35 percent.

The practice of applying excess fertilizers should be avoided. The best way is to apply homemade fertilizers. Organic compost and urea and grass fertilizers during the blooming season are sufficient.

If your plant is suffering from fertilizer burn, the plant’s soil needs to be changed quickly. The affected area should be pruned and the plant should be watered liberally.

Temperatures of 60-70° F are ideal for Jack Frost plants. With the help of a temperature control machine, you can easily ensure adequate temperature for your plants. Open the doors to the cold frames more frequently during warm periods to provide additional ventilation.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Does brunnera go dormant?

In full sun, brunnera can thrive, but it will require more hydration. Plants may become dormant in extremely hot weather, and patterned leaves can scorch readily in direct sunlight.

Does brunnera jack frost like wet soil?

Brunnera Jack frost thrives in places with some shade and continuously damp, but not soggy, soil and requires minimal maintenance. They are sensitive to drought and will show leaf burn if cultivated in an excessively dry environment.

Should I cut back Brunnera after flowering?

After the stalks have flowered, trim them. In November, take better care not to harm the roots as you cut the entire plant down to the ground.

The Final Word

Although Brunera Jack Frost is a low-maintenance and highly survivable plant. However, problems such as browning of leaves, failure to bloom and curling of tips can easily overcome Brunnera plants. Situations can become more complicated if timely action is not taken against them.

In this article, I have discussed all possible problems and solutions. You need to know the details of the problems because without understanding the problem it is not possible to solve it. Hope my article helped you as expected. Happy gardening.

James Rivenburg
James Rivenburg
James Rivenburg

James Rivenburg is the founder of plantandpest.com, a passionate gardener with valuable experience and knowledge gained through trial and error. The website has a large community of followers who trust his tips and techniques and have succeeded with his advice. He is always Committed to helping others create a beautiful and healthy garden.

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