Similar in effect to Brunnera, but smaller and making a good ground-cover, often with heart-shaped leaves. Flowers blue or white, or combined, out in spring. Around 30 species, in Europe and Asia. Often growing in open sandy ground, but also in woodlands and areas of moist ground. The species we grow, do prefer some shade in an average soil.
The flowers are much visited by solitary bees such as red mason-bee and bee-flies that emerge early in the season and are happy to forage in shady spots. With their creeping growth, they provide essential cover for invertebrates and amphibians.