How to Plant and Grow Lungwort

Lungwort is a perennial with pretty spring blooms that are almost tissue paper-like in appearance and come in a variety of colors. They fade beautifully in color, starting as a lovely shade of red; as they age, they become rich purple. Medium green lance- and heart-shaped leaves on lungwort sport silver speckles. This silver spotting can actually become so dense that the entire leaf appears silver in color. Hardy in Zones 2-8, these plants work well with other shade plants and add brightness to dark corners of the garden.

Where to Plant Lungwort

Plant lungwort where it will get plenty of shade. A wall, a fence, or some other structure where they'll be protected from the sun will work. If you plant lungwort under a tree, water it regularly so it doesn't have to fight with the tree's roots for the moisture it needs. Tall perennials will also give lungwort protection from the sun.

How and When to Plant Lungwort

Plant lungwort plants in late summer or early autumn for best results. Spring planting can work as well. Dig a hole about the same width and depth as the planting container. Remove the plant and loosen the roots a bit from the root ball before placing in the hole. Backfill with soil, tamp lightly, and water deeply.

It has a moderate growth rate and the rhizomatous roots will spread gradually to colonize a shady area.

Lungwort Care Tips

Lungwort care is pretty simple. Give them enough water and shade, and feed them yearly.

Light

If plants are in full sun, they'll be less tolerant of drought and may become brown and dry. Lungwort performs best in part shade and ideally shaded from the hot afternoon sun.

Soil and Water

Lungwort is tolerant of various conditions. Evenly moist, well-drained soils are best as it begins growing. However, once established, lungwort has no problem with a bit of drought. They look best in soils rich with organic matter, so it may be helpful to add in compost before planting, especially in dry clay soils. These plants may need supplemental watering in full sun to look their best.

Temperature and Humidity

Mild temperatures are best for lungwort. Heat makes them wilt, though they'll do better once the weather cools down. After the last frost in spring, they start to grow from the ground.

Fertilizer

Add compost to soil when planting. Otherwise, lungwort doesn't need much fertilizer. If you wish, add just a little bit of all-purpose garden fertilizer, following manufacturer's instructions, around the plant early in spring.

Pruning

Remove dead stalks after lungwort finishes flowering. This will promote new growth and possible reflowering. When the weather is very hot, some lungwort leaves and stalks will dry out. Remove them if this happens. When lungwort goes dormant in the hottest part of summer, you can mow off the tops of the plants. Keep lungwort watered, and they'll rejuvenate in cooler weather.

Potting and Repotting Lungwort

It's not recommended to pot lungwort, as it takes a lot of time and attention to keep them alive in. containers. They're meant to be grown in the ground in a shady spot.

Pests and Problems

These plants won't bloom as well in full shade and are more prone to powdery mildew. To treat, simply remove and dispose of the affected leaves. Pick off any slugs, which can damage foliage.

How to Propagate Lungwort

Lungwort tends to be a short-lived perennial. After several years, clumps may begin to slowly thin out and decline. However, with reasonably regular division (every few years is good), you can keep them going much longer. To divide, dig up the plant and cut or break the clump into smaller sections with leaves and roots attached. Plant these into the garden at the same depth as the original plant and water well. Lungwort will also reseed around your garden.

Types of Lungwort

'Benediction' Lungwort

Pulmonaria saccharata 'Benediction' produces beautiful deep blue violet flowers in early 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.

'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.

'Opal' Lungwort

Pulmonaria 'Opal' bears beautiful pale blue flowers flushed with pink and silver-spotted leaves on a 10-inch-tall plant that grows well in Zones 4-8.

Red Lungwort

Pulmonaria rubra is one of the earliest to bloom in spring. Its clusters of nodding funnel-shape 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.

'Sissinghurst White' Lungwort

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

Lungwort Companion Plants

Hellebore

Hellebores are easy and pretty. Their exquisite bowl- or saucer-shaped flowers in white (often speckled), pinks, yellows, or maroon remain on the plant for several months. Deer-resistant and mostly evergreen, hellebores' divided leaves rise on sturdy stems and may be serrated along the edges. Zones 4-9

Primrose

Primroses are classic cottage flowers popular with collectors who covet the hundreds of varieties. Many are staples of cottage and rock gardens, while others provide spring color to damp spots, rain gardens, and bog gardens. The colorful flowers may be borne singly or rise in tiered clusters or even spikes. Zones 2-8

Hosta

Hostas have earned their spot in the hearts of gardeners—they're among the easiest plants to grow, as long as you have some shade and ample rainfall. Hostas are tough perennials ranging from tiny plants suitable for troughs or rock gardens to massive 4-foot clumps with heart-shaped leaves almost 2 feet long in many colors and shapes. Zones 3-9

Shield Fern

For a shady spot, you can't go wrong with shield ferns, also known as holly ferns. Their evergreen fronds always look good and mix well with other shade-lovers without taking over. They can be planted close and massed as a groundcover or used as an accent plant where soil is rich and well-drained. Zones 3-9

Lungwort Garden Plan

Perennial Shade Garden Plan

Try this colorful perennial shade garden plan for a spot under mature trees where turf grass isn't thriving.