• part to full shade
• perennial
• likes moist rich loamy soil
• attractive variegated leaves
• pretty Forget-Me-Not like flowers, first thing in spring
• tiny blue flowers attractive to bees
• Early spring bloomer
• slightly hairy and rough texture renders the plant deer resistant
• spread 12″ to 15″
• a winner in many respects

This plant is one of the first to emerge in spring and its leaves grow larger as spring progresses. The tiny flowers emerge in short stalks but also grow taller as time progresses. This favourite plant combines well with bulbs for a spring display and also with other variegated leafed plants. Its attractive frost tinted leaves brighten up any shade area and is a must have for shade. It does prefer damp soil and will not thrive if too dry.

This perennial plant of the year in 2012, has maintained its popularity as it is so easy maintenance, shade loving, very attractive, well behaved and deer resistant; what more could you wish for!

Above the yellow flowers of yellow Archangel show through. Below are a selection of photos of it in combination with Daphne Mackii and Yellow Archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon). Yellow Archangel is considered invasive in some States but I have not found it to be a problem in my garden.