Pulmonaria (Lungwort)

Popular Lungwort Varieties

There are several popular varieties of Lungwort that vary in flower color and leaf patterns. Here are a few of them:

• Pulmonaria ‘Raspberry Splash’: This variety is known for its raspberry-pink flowers and long, narrow leaves that are heavily spotted with silver.
• Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’: ‘Trevi Fountain’ produces a profusion of cobalt-blue flowers, and its dark green leaves have plenty of spots that look like a dusting of powdered sugar.
• Pulmonaria ‘Silver Bouquet’: ‘Silver Bouquet’ offers stunning coral-pink to purple flowers, and its foliage is almost entirely silver.
• Pulmonaria ‘Moonshine’: ‘Moonshine’ is prized for its almost entirely silver leaves, which provide a beautiful backdrop to its light blue flowers.
• Pulmonaria ‘Majeste’: This variety stands out with its leaves that remain solid silver throughout the season. Its flowers start pink and turn to a vivid blue.
• Pulmonaria ‘Opal’: ‘Opal’ is a compact variety known for its soft blue, opalescent flowers and lightly spotted leaves.
• Pulmonaria ‘Cotton Cool’: The silver-spotted foliage of ‘Cotton Cool’ looks great all season, and its pink to blue-violet flowers are a beautiful addition to the spring garden.
• Pulmonaria ‘Sissinghurst White’: This variety is known for its pure white flowers and heavily spotted leaves, providing a striking contrast.
• Pulmonaria ‘Blue Ensign’: This variety is appreciated for its rich, true-blue flowers and plain green leaves without spots.

Before choosing a variety, consider the specific conditions and aesthetic of your garden. Some varieties might do better in your garden’s specific conditions and align better with your desired look. Remember, all Lungworts will do best in a shady spot with well-draining soil.

Garden Design with Lungwort

Lungwort is a versatile plant that can be used in many different ways in the garden. Here are a few ideas to help you incorporate Lungwort into your garden design:

Woodland Gardens: Lungwort is a perfect fit for woodland gardens. Its shade tolerance and early blooms work well beneath tall trees and amongst other shade-loving plants such as ferns, Hostas, and Solomon’s Seal.

Border Plantings: Use Lungwort in the front of borders for early spring color. The foliage remains attractive throughout the season, providing interest even after the blooms have faded. It can be paired with late-blooming perennials to ensure continuous color throughout the growing season.

Ground Cover: The dense growth of Lungwort makes it an effective ground cover. Its silver-spotted leaves can brighten up shady areas, and it can be used to underplant taller perennials or shrubs.

Container Plantings: Some compact varieties of Lungwort can be used in containers. They can be combined with other shade-tolerant plants for a multi-season display.

Pollinator Garden: Lungwort’s early blossoms are a valuable food source for bees and hummingbirds. Incorporating it into a pollinator garden helps support these beneficial insects.

Pattern and Texture: The spotted foliage of Lungwort can be used to create visual interest. Use it alongside plants with solid color leaves to create a pleasing contrast in texture and pattern.

Mixed with Bulbs: Lungwort blooms around the same time as many spring bulbs like Daffodils and Tulips. Interplanting them with bulbs can result in beautiful and colorful spring displays.

When designing a garden with Lungwort, consider the plant’s need for well-drained soil and partial to full shade. The right location and companion plants will help your Lungwort thrive.

Companion Plants

Choosing the right companion plants for Lungwort involves finding plants that thrive under similar conditions—partial to full shade and well-draining soil—and offer contrasting or complementary features. Here are some great companion plants for Lungwort:

Hostas: These shade-loving plants have lush, large leaves that contrast nicely with the more delicate leaves of Lungwort. There are many varieties of Hostas to choose from, allowing for color coordination.

Ferns: With their feathery, green fronds, ferns offer a contrasting texture next to the spotted foliage of Lungwort. Ferns such as Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) or Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum) work well.

Heuchera (Coral Bells): Heuchera comes in a variety of colors from deep purple to lime green and can provide a beautiful contrast or complement to Lungwort. Plus, Heuchera also enjoys the same dappled shade conditions.

Astilbe: Astilbe’s feathery, plume-like flowers can add a contrasting texture and height to the low-growing Lungwort.

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra): This shade-loving perennial has unique, heart-shaped flowers and delicate, fern-like foliage that pairs well with the bold leaves of Lungwort.

Hellebores: Often blooming around the same time as Lungwort, Hellebores offer beautiful flowers in a range of colors that can complement the blooms of Lungwort.

Spring Bulbs: Lungwort pairs well with spring-blooming bulbs such as Daffodils, Tulips, and Crocuses. The bulbs provide height, and the Lungwort can help hide the fading bulb foliage after blooming.

Remember, all these plants thrive in similar conditions to Lungwort—partial to full shade and well-draining soil. Always consider the specific needs of each plant to ensure a harmonious and healthy garden.

Growing Tips

Growing Pulmonaria can be a great addition to your garden, especially if you have a lot of shade. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to grow these unique plants:

Choosing the Right Spot: Lungwort prefers a shady or partially shady spot in your garden. They can tolerate a little morning sun, but they should be protected from the harsh afternoon sun. They thrive best in well-drained, organically rich soil.

Planting: You can plant Lungwort from seed, but it’s usually easier to plant nursery-grown plants or divide existing clumps. If planting from seed, scatter them on the soil’s surface and keep it moist until they germinate. For potted plants, dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and just as deep, place the plant in the hole, and then backfill it with soil.

Watering: Water Lungwort regularly, especially during dry periods. These plants prefer a consistently moist (but not waterlogged) soil environment.

Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring to support healthy growth. Alternatively, you can top-dress with well-rotted compost or manure.

Pruning: After flowering, you can cut back the foliage to tidy up the plant and encourage a flush of fresh leaves.

Mulching: Mulching around the base of the plant will help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Division: Lungwort plants can become crowded over time. To keep them healthy and vigorous, divide them every three to five years in early spring or after flowering in autumn.

Pest and Disease Control: Lungwort is generally resistant to pests and diseases, but watch for signs of powdery mildew or slugs, especially in overly moist conditions. Good airflow around the plants can help prevent fungal diseases.