Brunnera 'Diane's Gold'

Description and Characteristics

Brunnera macrophylla 'Diane’s Gold' is a bold and vibrant shade-loving perennial, prized for its striking golden-yellow foliage and early spring sprays of sky-blue flowers. A standout cultivar of the Siberian Bugloss, this variety brings light and brightness to shaded borders with its intense foliage colour, contrasting beautifully with darker greens and woodland textures.

The leaves are heart-shaped and vivid chartreuse to gold, becoming more intense in spring and softening slightly as summer progresses. In early to mid-spring, clouds of tiny, forget-me-not-like blue flowers emerge above the foliage on slender stems, lasting several weeks and attracting early pollinators.

Growing to around 30–40 cm tall and 45–60 cm wide, 'Diane’s Gold' forms a tidy, clumping mound that gradually expands. It offers excellent contrast in shaded gardens, under trees, and naturalistic plantings, where it combines both floral charm and foliage impact.

• Golden-yellow foliage with a bold, luminous presence

• Small, sky-blue flowers in spring (March–May)

• Height: 30–40 cm; Spread: 45–60 cm

• Excellent for shade and part shade; ideal for brightening dark areas

• Provides season-long foliage interest and early food for pollinators

Growing Conditions and Maintenance

Brunnera 'Diane’s Gold' is easy to care for and thrives in cool, moist, shaded conditions. It prefers humus-rich soils and is perfect for woodland gardens or underplanting shrubs.

• Light Requirements:

  • Prefers partial to full shade

  • Tolerates morning sun if soil remains moist

  • Avoid hot afternoon sun, which may scorch the foliage

• Soil Preferences:

  • Grows best in moist, well-drained, fertile soil

  • Enriched loam or clay with added organic matter is ideal

  • pH: neutral to slightly acidic

• Watering Needs:

  • Requires consistent moisture, especially in dry or exposed locations

  • Mulch in spring to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds

  • Do not allow the soil to dry out completely

• Feeding:

  • Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in early spring

  • Topdress with compost or well-rotted leaf mould annually

• Deadheading and Pruning:

  • Remove spent flowers after blooming for tidiness

  • Trim back tired or scorched leaves in mid- to late summer to encourage fresh foliage

  • Cut back dead leaves in late winter or early spring

• Winter Care:

  • Hardy in Zones 4–8 (RHS H7)

  • Foliage may be semi-evergreen in mild winters, deciduous in colder zones

  • Mulch lightly in autumn to protect crowns in harsh climates

Garden Uses, Companion Plants, and Pollinator Benefits

Brunnera 'Diane’s Gold' is an exceptional foliage plant that adds drama and light to shady spaces. It’s especially effective when contrasted with deeper greens, purples, and silvers.

• Design Applications:

  • Ideal for shade borders, woodland gardens, and underplanting shrubs

  • Excellent for brightening shaded pathways, foundations, or beneath deciduous trees

  • Suitable for container planting in shaded patios and balconies

• Companion Plants:

  • Pairs beautifully with Hostas, Heucheras, Pulmonarias, Ferns, and Tiarellas

  • Complements spring bulbs such as Narcissus, Erythronium, and Scilla

  • Combines well with dark-foliaged plants like Actaea, Ligularia, or Heucherella

• Pollinator Benefits:

  • Spring flowers attract bees and hoverflies

  • Valuable nectar source early in the season

  • A worthy addition to pollinator-friendly shade gardens

• Container Use:

  • Performs well in moisture-retentive pots with good drainage

  • Use a peat-free, organic-rich compost with bark fines or loam

  • Combine with other compact shade perennials for foliage contrast

• Pest and Disease Resistance:

  • Generally pest-free and resistant to most diseases

  • Young growth may be nibbled by slugs or snails—use organic deterrents if needed

  • Maintain spacing and airflow to prevent mildew

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.