Description

Key Characteristics:

• Foliage: The most distinctive feature of ‘Jack Frost’ is its heart-shaped leaves, which are almost entirely covered in a frosted, silvery overlay. A network of fine, dark green veins and a thin green rim around the edges of each leaf create a beautiful and intricate crackle-like pattern. These leaves form a neat, hosta-like clump that remains attractive throughout the growing season.
• Flowers: In mid-to-late spring (typically April to June), the plant produces airy sprays of small, sky-blue, forget-me-not-like flowers on slender, dark stems that rise above the foliage. These flowers provide a beautiful contrast to the silvery leaves.
• Size and Habit: This is a clump-forming plant that typically grows to a height of 30-45 cm (1-1.5 ft) with a spread of around 45-60 cm (1.5-2 ft). It is deciduous, with the foliage dying back in winter before re-emerging in spring.

Growing Conditions and Care:

• Preferred Conditions: ‘Jack Frost’ thrives in a cool, shady site with consistently moist, well-drained soil. It is particularly well-suited to the dappled shade found under deciduous trees and shrubs.
• Sunlight: While it can tolerate a few hours of gentle morning sun, it must be protected from hot, direct afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves and cause them to brown.
• Soil: It is not fussy about soil type and can grow in chalk, clay, sand, or loam, as long as the soil is moderately fertile and has good drainage.
• Hardiness: The plant is fully hardy throughout the UK, able to withstand severe winter temperatures.
• Maintenance: ‘Jack Frost’ is a low-maintenance perennial. An annual mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost in the spring will help to retain moisture and enrich the soil. The plant is generally resistant to slugs and snails, which can be a problem for similar shade-loving plants like hostas.

Landscaping Uses:

Due to its stunning foliage and shade tolerance, ‘Jack Frost’ is an excellent choice for a variety of garden applications:

• Groundcover: It works well as groundcover for banks, slopes, and woodland gardens.

• Borders: It is a valuable plant for the front of shady borders.

• Containers: Its striking foliage makes it an eye-catching focal point in a container.

• Companion Planting: It pairs well with other shade-loving plants with contrasting foliage, such as ferns, hostas, and hellebores.