The delicate shade-loving lungwort or Pulmonaria isn’t the most vociferous of plants, it announces itself in February and March then hunkers down as taller colleagues take over the stage.
Colours
Mainly blue or red; white and pink
Height; spread
10-20 cm tall; 50 cm spread
Conditions
Moist loam or in woodland
Sun or shade
Full shade or partial shade
Flowers
March to April
Propagation
By seed or division
Reasons to grow...
Adds colour and interest when there’s little else around
Variety of colours: purple, blue, red, pink and white
New varieties have striking patterned foliage: delicate spotted leaves or strappy explosions of pale chalky green
Easy to propagate and build up large clumps
Largely pest free Watch out for Can be bullied by more robust plants and crowded out
Garden Rooms
Back Terrace An ever-present in these beds with Blue Ensign a favourite and patches of Diana Clare. The White Garden The spotty-leaved Sissinghurst White is starting to establish
Top Varieties
Blue Ensign – a delicate blue beauty. Sissinghurst White (pictured) – quaintly spotted. Diana Clare – one of the varieties that is also grown for its strappy chalky green foliage
We started with the commonest form whose colours start reddish, wander purple and end up blue. Lately new varieties have become popular with striking strappy leaves