Lungwort: A Guide to Growing Pulmonaria Plants

Botanical name:

Pulmonaria spp. and hybrids. The genus name is derived from the Latin word plumo, meaning “lung,” since the spotted leaves were thought to resemble, and even cure, diseased lungs.

Common names:

Lungwort, Bethlehem sage, Jerusalem cowslip, spotted dog. (Not to be confused with Cerinthe species, also called lungwort.)

Plant type:

Perennial

Zones:

3-9

Exposure:

Partial to full shade

Size:

8 to 18 inches tall, 12 to 24 inches wide

Growth habit:

Forms a mounded clump that spreads slowly over time by underground rhizomes.

Bloom time:

Early to midspring, with the blooms lasting 3 to 4 weeks.

Foliage:

Usually ovate to elliptical in shape and slightly hairy. Color ranges from solid green, to green with silvery spots or blotches, to almost entirely silver, depending on the cultivar.

Flowers:

Small funnel-shaped flowers, borne in clusters, are usually pink when they emerge and change to bright blue or purple as they mature. Some varieties have pure white flowers.

Special attributes:

• Attracts bees and hummingbirds, providing a much-needed nectar source in early spring.
• Rabbit and deer resistant
• Few pest or disease problems
• Foliage remains evergreen in areas with mild winters, providing year-round interest.

When to plant:

In fall or in early spring after the threat of frost has passed.

Where to plant:

In light to medium shade, in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. A spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. Plants can be grown in full sun if enough moisture is provided, but dry, sunny conditions will often result in scorched and withered leaves. Lungworts also do not perform well in overly wet sites and can suffer from root rot in poorly drained, soggy soil.

How to plant:

Plant from nursery-grown transplants, digging a hole slightly wider and approximately the same depth of the container. Place the plant in the hole so the top of the rootball is about an inch below the level of the surrounding soil. Backfill, tamping the soil down gently, then water thoroughly.

Plant spacing:

Although lungwort has a moderate growth rate, its rhizomatous roots will cause it to spread and fill in an area over time. Space plants far enough apart (depending on their size at maturity) to allow some room for expansion. It’s also important to provide adequate air circulation between plants to prevent powdery mildew.