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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Garden Plans

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Shady Side Yard Garden Plan
Side Garden
Waterside Retreat Garden Plan
Shade Garden
Four Gorgeous Bulb and Perennial Gardens
Shady Foliage Garden Plan

Plant It With

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Hellebore

The dark fingered leaves of hellebores contrast well with rough spotted lungwort foliage in shade.

Primrose

Blooming at the same time, yellow English primroses are good companions for lungwort in light shade.

Hosta

The leaves of hosta emerge as the flowers of lungwort are fading and the basal leaves are expanding. Spotted lungwort shows off well against variegated plantain lilies.

Holly fern

The upright fronds of Christmas fern provide textural contrast and a little height to a planting of lungwort in light shade.

Propagation

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Seed
Division