Pulmonaria | Heijnen Plants

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Pulmonaria angustifolia 'Blue Ensign' Narrow-leaved lungwort

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Pulmonaria saccharata 'Mrs. Moon' Bethlehem lungwort

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Pulmonaria, commonly known as lungwort, is a charming genus, celebrated for its early spring blossoms and unique foliage. Belonging to the family Boraginaceae, lungworts are a favorite among gardeners looking to add a touch of color to shaded areas. Their vibrant blooms emerge in March, April, and May, signaling the arrival of spring with hues of blue, purple, red, and pink.

A versatile plant, Pulmonaria thrives in the dappled shade of woodland gardens, making it an ideal choice for border plantings, groupings, or edge plantings. With its creeping, widespread growth habit, lungworts can fill in spaces with a lush carpet of foliage variegated with white and green. Moreover, lungworts are known to be semi-evergreen, maintaining a presence even in the quieter winter landscape.

Key Features

Pulmonaria species offer several notable characteristics which make them a delightful addition to any garden:

The genus flourishes in all well-drained soil types, displaying adaptability to a variety of garden conditions.
The foliage of lungworts is quite distinctive, with green leaves often mottled with white spots or patterns, offering visual interest even when the plant is not in bloom.
Pulmonaria's growth form is creeping and can spread effectively, providing a ground-cover effect in shady spots.
These plants are semi-evergreen, contributing to the garden's greenery throughout the seasons with minimal winter dieback.
The flowers of Pulmonaria are particularly attractive to pollinators, making these plants valuable for supporting local ecosystems.
While lungworts are deciduous to semi-evergreen, they maintain good foliage coloration from spring to autumn, transitioning from variegated green and white to solid green.

Tips

For optimal health and to encourage new growth, divide your Pulmonaria plants in the spring or autumn. This will rejuvenate older clumps and is an excellent way to propagate new plants.
As lungworts prefer moist conditions, ensure to provide them with average water needs, especially during dry spells to maintain their lush appearance.
Opt for a location that offers partial to full shade, as too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and affect the plant's vigor.
To support the plant's spreading habit without it becoming invasive, monitor its growth and divide it when necessary to maintain the desired coverage area.
As Pulmonaria is not drought-resistant, regular watering during prolonged dry periods will keep the plants healthy and prevent wilting.

Types

Embrace the enchanting beauty of Pulmonaria, a plant whose delicate flowers and speckled foliage bring a touch of woodland magic to any garden. Known for its early spring blossoms and silver-spotted leaves, lungwort is a herald of the changing seasons and a favorite among pollinators.

The Pulmonaria angustifolia 'Blue Ensign', commonly known as the narrow-leaved lungwort, is celebrated for its radiant blue flowers which adorn the garden with vibrant color during the spring months of March, April, and May. This hardy perennial boasts a robust growth habit and is favored for its ability to thrive in shaded areas, where it provides a delightful splash of color. Its charming flowers are a herald of spring, making it a cherished addition to any plant enthusiast's collection.
The Pulmonaria saccharata 'Mrs. Moon', colloquially known as Bethlehem lungwort or Bethlehem sage, is a captivating perennial that graces the garden with a medley of flower colors ranging from purple to red and pink. Blooming in the early spring months of March and April, 'Mrs. Moon' adds a gentle yet striking burst of color to shaded garden spots. This variety's dappled foliage creates a visually appealing ground cover, enhancing its ornamental value throughout the growing season.

Ideal placement of a Pulmonaria

The ideal location for Pulmonaria is an area that offers partial shade to full shade, as its delicate foliage and blossoms are sensitive to intense sunlight. While it tolerates a range of soil types, ensuring the soil is well-drained will contribute significantly to its health and vigor. The woodland garden conditions, dappled with light and rich in organic matter, mimic its natural habitat and are most conducive to its creeping, widespread growth habit. This will allow the plant to display its variegated green and white foliage and vibrant spring blooms of blue, purple, and pink to their best effect.

Planting a Pulmonaria

For optimal growth, Pulmonaria should be planted in well-drained soil, accommodating its preference for moist conditions without becoming waterlogged. It thrives best in partial shade to full shade, making it an excellent choice for those less sunny areas of the garden. When planting, ensure the pot-grown plants are spaced sufficiently to allow for their creeping growth habit, which will enable them to form a lush, ground-covering mat. After planting, water the plants to help establish their roots. The best time for planting is during the cooler months of spring or autumn to minimize stress on the plants.

Fertilising a Pulmonaria

To maintain the vigor and enhance the flowering of Pulmonaria, proper fertilization is essential. It is recommended to apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth appears. This will provide a steady supply of nutrients throughout the growing season, supporting the display of vibrant flowers in hues of blue, purple, pink, and red, as well as the variegated green and white foliage. Since Pulmonaria prefers consistently moist soil, ensure the fertilizer is watered in well after application to aid in nutrient absorption and prevent root burn. An additional light feeding may be beneficial after the first flush of blooms has finished, to encourage continued foliage health and growth. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers.

Pruning a Pulmonaria

Pulmonaria benefits from a light pruning regimen to maintain its appearance and vigor. After the spring bloom, trim back the spent flowers to encourage a second flush of blooms and to keep the plant tidy. In late winter or early spring, before new growth starts, remove any old or damaged leaves to allow room for fresh foliage. This gentle care, paired with its creeping growth habit, allows Pulmonaria to thrive, forming a lush understorey in partial to full shade environments.

Watering a Pulmonaria

To ensure the health and vitality of Pulmonaria, maintaining consistent moisture in the soil is crucial. The plant thrives best when the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged. During periods of extended dryness or in the peak of summer, it may be necessary to supplement natural rainfall with additional watering. It is recommended to check the soil moisture regularly and water when the top layer begins to dry out. Over-watering should be avoided to prevent potential root issues, as well-drained soil is essential for this species' success.

The characteristics of a Pulmonaria

Cultivating Pulmonaria in a pot enriches patios with a tapestry of foliage and flowers. Not only does this plant boast a vibrant display in the spring, but its leaves also offer a unique texture and pattern that persist, providing visual interest throughout the growing season. For optimal growth, ensure the pot has adequate drainage and enrich the soil periodically to maintain soil fertility and structure, supporting the lushness of this charming species.

Separating/dividing a Pulmonaria

To propagate Pulmonaria through division, undertake this task in the spring or autumn to ensure the plant's robustness and vitality. Carefully lift the plant from the soil, taking note of the spreading nature of its growth. With a clean cut, separate the plant into smaller sections, each with a portion of the root system intact. Replant these divisions promptly into moist, well-drained soil. Position them in a location that mimics their preference for partial shade to shade. Dividing lungworts will not only invigorate new growth but also help maintain the health and aesthetic appeal of the foliage and blooms.

The ideal variety for you Buy pulmonaria (pasque flower)

Embrace the enchanting beauty of Pulmonaria, a plant that graces any garden with its remarkable foliage and delicate flowers. This shade-loving perennial offers a delightful carpet of green throughout the year, punctuated by charming blooms in the spring. Ideal for understory planting, Pulmonaria adds a touch of woodland charm to your landscape.

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