For years, gardeners have turned to Brunnera macrophylla for reliable shade garden performance and stunning visual appeal. Among its cultivars, the original ‘Jack Frost’ took the gardening world by storm with its distinctive silver foliage and dainty blue blooms. But now, a new contender has entered the ring: the larger-than-life ‘Jack of Diamonds’. How do these two exceptional perennials stack up? Let’s explore the differences and see why ‘Jack of Diamonds’ might be the perfect choice for your garden.
The Original Star: Jack Frost Brunnera
Introduced years ago, ‘Jack Frost’ quickly became a favorite for shade gardeners. Its heart-shaped leaves feature a shimmering silver overlay with prominent green veining, creating a striking appearance that lights up darker garden corners. This cultivar produces airy clusters of baby blue, forget-me-not-like blooms from mid-to-late spring, adding seasonal charm to its already gorgeous foliage.
‘Jack Frost’ is known for its versatility. It works beautifully as a groundcover or a feature plant in containers. With a mature size of about 12-15 inches tall and wide, it’s the perfect scale for smaller gardens or intimate planting schemes. Its moderate growth rate and reliable performance make it an enduring choice for gardeners of all experience levels. However, with the arrival of ‘Jack of Diamonds’, there’s a new favorite in town.
The Bold Challenger: Jack of Diamonds Brunnera
Fast forward to today, and ‘Jack of Diamonds’ is making waves as a new star in the Brunnera lineup. While it retains the beloved traits of ‘Jack Frost’—shade tolerance, eye-catching foliage, and delicate blue flowers—it takes everything to the next level.
The most notable difference? Size. ‘Jack of Diamonds’ is a giant among Brunneras. Its massive leaves can grow up to 9-10 inches across, overlapping at the base in a spiral reminiscent of escargot shells. From a distance, the foliage forms a dramatic circular shape, creating a bold visual impact. The heavy silver overlay and dark green veining are still present, but on a much larger scale, making ‘Jack of Diamonds’ a true statement plant.
This cultivar reaches a mature size of 15-18 inches tall and 24-30 inches wide, making it an excellent choice for filling larger garden spaces. It also holds its own as a container specimen, where its oversized foliage can be appreciated up close. Like ‘Jack Frost’, it blooms in mid-to-late spring with clusters of baby blue flowers. With its impressive size and striking foliage, ‘Jack of Diamonds’ is quickly becoming the go-to choice for gardeners looking to elevate their shade gardens.
Jack Frost vs Jack of Diamonds: Key Differences
While both cultivars share many traits, their differences are what set them apart:
Size: ‘Jack Frost’ is compact, while ‘Jack of Diamonds’ is significantly larger, ideal for making a bold statement.
Leaf Shape: ‘Jack of Diamonds’ features overlapping, circular leaves that create a unique “escargot” effect, unlike the more uniform heart-shaped leaves of ‘Jack Frost’.
Impact: ‘Jack Frost’ is perfect for smaller spaces and subtle accents, while ‘Jack of Diamonds’ commands attention and excels in larger plantings.
Why Choose Jack of Diamonds?
While ‘Jack Frost’ will always hold a place in gardening history, ‘Jack of Diamonds’ offers a fresh and exciting take on the classic Brunnera. Its larger size, dramatic foliage, and bold presence make it the ideal choice for modern shade gardens. Whether you’re looking to fill a spacious area, create a show-stopping container display, or add a new favorite to your perennial lineup, ‘Jack of Diamonds’ is the superior option.
Ready to Transform Your Garden?
Bring the bold beauty of ‘Jack of Diamonds’ Brunnera to your garden today! Its oversized silver-veined leaves and delicate blue blooms are sure to impress and delight. Don’t miss out on the chance to own this spectacular perennial.
Order ‘Jack of Diamonds’ now and elevate your shade garden to new heights!
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