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23 November 2009
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Pulmonaria

Pulmonarias, also known as lungworts, make ideal plants for any garden. They come in a wide variety of leaf and flower colours and their semi-evergreen foliage provides interest throughout the year.

Recommended varieties

Pulmonaria is a member of the forget-me-not family, Boraginaceae . Family characteristics include roughened or textured leaves and flower buds that are produced in tight whorls, uncurling as they open. Many species possess the unusual ability to waver in colour between pink and blue.

The plantain-shaped leaves persist deep into winter and range in colour from plain green, through a whole host of spots and stipples. The range of flower colourings is vast, from dazzling white through low-key shades of dusky pinks to a full range of blues.

Pulmonarias enjoy a host of colloquial names. 'Spotted dog' refers to the stippled foliage, whereas 'soldiers and sailors' reflects the flower's characteristic of starting life pink and then turning blue.

Varieties for flowers

P. officinalis 'Sissinghurst White': vigorous and easy pulmonaria, with an unusually white-flowered form and pleasantly spotted green leaves.
P. saccharata 'Blauhimmel': the name means 'blue heaven', after the soft, pearly blue flowers and elegantly stippled foliage.
P. rubra 'Barfield Ruby': large red flowers are produced above unspotted bright green leaves.
P. 'Margery Fish': striking pulmonaria with richly-marked leaves and flowers that start pink and turn shades of purple. Forms vigorous clumps, with slightly smaller flowers and longer flower stems than P. saccharata varieties.
P. 'Blue Ensign' : considered the best blue variety, with large, rich flowers above clear, dark green leaves.
P. angustifolia : narrow, green leaves and clusters of gentian blue flowers.
P. saccharata 'Dora Bielefeld': one of the best clear pink varieties, with the flowers complemented by lightly spotted mid-green foliage.
P. 'Mournful Purple': variety with outstanding vigour whose sombre colour goes perfectly with oxlips, cowslips and fritillaries.
P. saccharata 'Redstart' : plain green leaves complement the pale pinkish-red flowers. Good variety for early colour.

Varieties for leaf colour

Generally, leaf colours are gentle, featuring only subtle variations in silvery grey.

P. rubra 'David Ward': well-formed and broad variegated leaves with cream edges. However, foliage will scorch unless shaded and the flowers are an uninspiring pink.
P. saccharata : the wild form is decorated with grey spots about half an inch across, but in such forms as 'Reginald Kaye' the larger marks produce a silver effect. Argentea Group leaves are completely grey.
P. 'Margery Fish': dark leaves richly stippled with spots of pale grey.
P. longifolia and P. 'Lewis Palmer' : P. longifolia is native to Britain and usually only occurs in the south. It dislikes light soil. Garden forms have narrow leaves, often heavily blotched, and pink buds that open to deepest azure flowers. The hybrid P. 'Lewis Palmer' has the same perfect blue flowers, excellently spotted foliage and thrives on even limey soil.

Growing tips

Site and soil preferences

Pulmonarias can take up a lot of room in a relatively short time and make excellent ground-cover plants. Moisture-retentive soil in semi-shade suits them best.

Aftercare

If plants look thin or have yellowing foliage, mulch them with compost to help them through summer. This will help produce larger, better-marked foliage that will last long into winter.

For optimum performance, lift mature plants every three or four years, divide into small chunks, making sure you discard all old, blackened roots, and replant the chunks.

The plants are prone to hybridisation in the garden. If you wish to keep your stocks pure, deadhead them.

Propagation

Pulmonarias grow easily from root cuttings. For a good crop of young plants in spring, try placing short 7.5cm (3in) sections of root into a seed tray and covering with potting compost.

Problem solver

Mildew can develop on pulmonarias in dry summers, making the foliage unsightly. Mulches and moisture help to prevent this, but if a plant succumbs cut the foliage back to ground level and give it plenty of water.

If a pulmonaria never flowers, it's likely the buds have been eaten by birds. Protect them by criss-crossing strands of black cotton over them, secured to canes slightly higher than the plants.

Young pulmonaria leaves can be susceptible to damage from slugs and snails. Protect them by applying a layer of grit or crushed egg shell around the base.