Lungwort

In early spring, the brilliant blue, pink, or white flowers of lungwort bloom despite the coldest chill. The rough basal leaves, spotted or plain, always please and continue to be handsome through the season and into winter. Planted close as a weed-discouraging groundcover, or in borders as edgings or bright accent plants, lungworts are workhorses and retain their good looks. Provide high-humus soil that retains moisture. Although lungwort tolerates dry conditions, be alert for mildew.

Light:

Sun, Part Sun, Shade

Zones:

2-8

Plant Type:

Perennial

Plant Height:

6-12 inches tall, depending on variety

Plant Width:

1.5-2 feet wide, depending on variety

Flower Color:

White, rose, blue violet flowers, depending on variety; variegated leaves, depending on variety

Bloom Time:

Blooms spring and summer, depending on variety

Landscape Uses:

Containers, Beds & Borders, Groundcover

Special Features:

Flowers, Attractive Foliage, Fragrant, Winter Interest, Drought Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Easy to Grow

Top Varieties

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Benediction lungwort

(Pulmonaria saccharata 'Benediction') produces beautiful deep blue violet flowers early in spring. Its leaves are lightly spotted and remain handsome through the season. It grows to 10 inches tall and is hardy in Zones 4-8.
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Excalibur lungwort

(Pulmonaria saccharata 'Excalibur') has silver leaves rimmed and veined with emerald. Its rose pink flowers bloom in spring. It grows to 9 inches tall and is hardy in Zones 4-8.
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Opal lungwort

(Pulmonaria 'Opal') bears beautiful pale-blue flowers flushed with pink and silver-spotted leaves on a 10-inch-tall plant. Zones 4-8
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Red lungwort

(Pulmonaria rubra) is one of the earliest to bloom in spring. Its clusters of nodding funnel-shaped pinkish red flowers rise above solid light green leaves that lack spots. It grows about 15 inches tall and is hardy in Zones 5-8.
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Sissinghurst White lungwort

(Pulmonaria 'Sissinghurst White') bears pure white flowers over wonderfully spotted leaves. It grows 10 inches tall. Zones 4-8.
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