Learn about this shade loving early spring perennial called lungwort. It's interesting history, and why you want to grow it in your garden.
You know it's spring when the daffodils and tulips are in bloom, and the forsythia proudly display their blast of yellow. However, another lesser-known beauty, often seen at the first sign of spring is a pretty little perennial, called Pulmonaria.
Pulmonaria aka Lungwort
Pulmonaria is the botanical or scientific name more common known as Lungwort. This herbaceous shade loving perennial grows about a foot tall, with oval leaves in varying shades of green. The flowers can be white, red, shades of pink, and a beautiful shade of blue. Being a sucker for all blue flowers, the image above depicts one of my favorites, given to me by my dear friend Arlene.
It is really easy to grow. Lungwort plants show up early in the spring when you are dying to see new growth. It requires little to no maintenance, it's drought tolerant and is one plant that the deer and other critters leave alone.
It's often grown as a ground cover in clusters or clumps. It has rhizomatous roots that gradually spread to fill in a shady area.
Why is it called Pulmonaria?
The scientific or botanical name for lungwort is Pulmonaria. Why the weird name? Well, back in the day, people thought that, if a plant looked like a body part, it just may be good for healing that part. This philosophy was called the “Doctrine of Signatures.” Since many of the Pulmonaria have oval-shaped, spotted leaves, people felt they resembled a diseased lung, so they should be used to treat chest ailments.
And so the plant was given the name Pulmonaria, which translates from the Latin word "pulmo" to the word "lung," as in the common name lungwort, "wort" simply means plant.
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Other Common Names for Lungwort
Still, there are other nicknames for this little beauty. One is "Soldiers and Sailors." This comes from the interesting fact that many of the Lungwort's funnel-shaped flowers start pink or red but then turn to blue, (see image above), and often, you’ll have both at the same time, representing uniforms of the British army as red, while the navy was blue. Other common names are "Spotted Dog," "Jerusalem cowslip," and "Bethlehem sage."
Fun Facts about Lungwort
- They are a great early source of nectar and pollen. This makes them a good garden plant for bees, butterflies, and other insects, even hummingbirds.
- They are immune to the toxic substance produced by black walnut trees, making them one of the few plants that can be planted underneath them.
- Unlike many variegated plants, Pulmonaria’s silver-to-white spots on the foliage does not indicate the absence of chlorophyll. They are actual air pockets that mask the chlorophyll from showing.
Growing Lungwort
- Latin Name: Pulmonaria angustifolia
- Common Names: Lungwort; Blue Cowslip, Soldiers and Sailors, Spotted Dog, Jerusalem cowslip, Bethlehem sage
- Type: Herbaceous Perennial
- Zone Hardiness: zones 2 to 8
- Sun: Full-Shade to Part-Shade
- Water: Moist with good drainage
- Fertilizer: Compost or all-purpose fertilizer in early spring
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Height: 9 – 12 inches
- Width: 18 inches
- Uses: Decorative, attracts wildlife
- Special Characteristics: Deer resistant, low maintenance, ground cover
Propagation
Want more plants? Lungwort is best propagated in the fall when the weather is cooler. Dig up a plant and divide the clumps into sections. Then replant in other shady areas or give to some friends.
If you haven't tried lungwort yet you should. It's so easy to grow. Such a wonderful start to spring and a great addition to any shade garden.
Beverly
I love this plant. I live in Canada and someone was selling plants from their driveway a few years ago - honour system, you took a plant and left the money in a coffee can! Anyway, I scored some lungwort and planted it in full shade under a birdbath. It has done very well but I may dig up some and move it where it is not as shady 100% of the time and see if it will spread out more quickly. I am not sure why I love it so much because it's not the most attractive plant in the world! Maybe the same reason I love hostas!
Patti Estep
Beverly, I'm so glad to hear about another lungwort lover. Digging it up and spreading it around is a great idea. I do have some in part-sun and it continues to come back year after year and looks great. However, it is slow to spread.
jane greenway
Patti - just wanted you to know how much I enjoy your posts. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, ideas and recipes! Jane
Patti Estep
Jane, thank you for the kind comment. You've made my day!
Mary
My mother called this plant lads and lasses - pink and blue I think it's so much nicer than lungwort.
Patti Estep
Hi Mary,
I love lads and lasses. Much nicer than lungwort.
Thanks for sharing,
Patti
Carole @ Garden Up Green
I enjoyed this post - so detail and I have to say that spring perennials are my favorite because many are so light and delicate. I will have to book make this for the future. Thanks for the great info.
Patti Estep
Hi Carole,
It's been a great plant for me. I hope you can grow it in your neck of the woods.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
tkurilla
do you happen to know if it will take the Texas heat. in the winter we usually get iintoho the 20's. Also we have water restrictions here (once a week watering. mat go to two)
Patti
I'm not really sure but I did find this article in a google search that looks promising.
http://txmg.org/orange/plant-insect-information/perennials-for-shady-gardens-zone-9/
Gayle
The book" Signature of all things"
By Elizabeth Gilbert writes about healing the body with plants that resemble that part of the body. Interesting.
pestep81@gmail.com
That's interesting. Maybe that's where her title came from.
Sheila
I am enjoying every post. I am the most casual gardener but I love it and I love all things flowers. Thank you Patti! Love, Sheila
pestep81@gmail.com
Thank you Sheila, Kindred Spirit! I feel like a lot of people are intimidated by gardening or secretly like it but feel like they have to follow every rule so they shy away. It doesn't have to be that way. That's my message. Enjoy the plants and don't worry if they die or something doesn't work out. Love to you dear friend, Patti