Unlike some perennials or wildflowers with bloom periods early in the season, lungworts do not have early dormancy in foliage. Most are semi-evergreen, lasting well into our late falls and early winters. Blooms and new leaves begin to emerge at about the same time, continuing to open and build in number and size. By mid-April the plant is in full bloom and foliage, reaching about eight to fourteen inches in height while continuing to creep outward in clump size. None that I know of are invasive in habit.
There are few insect or disease problems with the exception of mildew on some of the older cultivars. Lungwort is not a demanding plant if basic requirements are met when planting. If none of the species or hybrids bloomed I would still be adding them to my garden for foliage alone. Pulmonaria are as attractive in a casual wildflower setting as they are in the front of a shady border, making them quite versatile in the garden.
It was the foliage that attracted me to lungwort in the beginning. Depending upon the species, foliage can be a dull, flat green to blue-green, coarse and hairy to refined and silky in texture. Foliage can also be marbled, spotted or splashed in white, pewter or silver. Leaf shape can range from elliptic to a long narrow lance.
Flowers are funnel-shaped, ranging from narrow to flaring, in relaxed forked cymes at the end of the stems. Flower color can be violet, blue, red, salmon and sometimes white. The color the flowers open with are only part of a description. Many have buds one color, opening to a second, then fading as they age to give the appearance of a third color - all on the same plant. Colors are usually soft and muted making statements of quiet beauty.
If, when in bloom, lungworts look vaguely familiar that is probably because you already have a relative in your perennial garden. Pulmonaria belong to the forget-me-not family (Boreginaceae). If you grow wildflowers you will recognize the resemblance to Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica). Perennial gardeners will see similarities in heart-leafed anklet (Brunnera macrophyllia), and comfrey. All relatives mentioned make fine companion plants.
Pulmonaria enjoy some shade, preferably protected from the afternoon sun, and in the company of shrubs and deep-rooted deciduous trees. My lungworts are planted among deciduous azaleas and dogwoods. Before planting I work the soil to a depth of eight to twelve inches, adding large amounts of organic matter. My favorite mix is about one-half composted manure, one-half hardwood mulch or chopped leaves, mixed well with the soil. Lungworts enjoy extra moisture without standing in water, so mulch well between plants, avoiding the crown, to retain that cool drink during our hot dry spells. To head off potential problems with mildew, give lungworts a position in the garden where they will not only be well-drained, but also where they receive good air circulation.
To my amazement the foliage of lungworts does not seem to be of interest to deer. Slugs and snails do not seem to take much interest in the leaves, either. Hummingbirds certainly do enjoy the trumpet-shaped blooms.
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Most are the older varieties, but I am now beginning to play catch-up with some of the newer cultivars and hybrids. 'Mrs. Moon', 'Sissinghurst White', 'Bertram Anderson', and 'Roy Davidson', were the first lungworts in the garden. Then came 'Johnson's Blue', 'Excaliber', and 'Cevennensis'. All are performing well in my garden.
While lungwort have long been around in gardens, they fell from favor for some years, but are very much making a comeback in today's gardens. It is hard to pick up a nursery catalog, go to a web site or garden center without seeing several cultivars for sale. Tissue culture and new enthusiastic breeders now have the new, latest, and greatest competing for our attention.
The new hybrids are truly exciting. The breeders are stretching and expanding those white and silver leaf markings. One of my favorite old silvers is 'Excalibur'. Flowers are rose to wine and the foliage is a stunning silver edged in dark green. It is described as vigorous in growth. On my list for purchase this coming spring is another longifolia named 'Golden Haze'. It's about the same as 'Bertram Anderson' but has a golden edge to each leaf. 'Majeste' has leaves that open green, mature out to all pewter with the tiniest of a thin green edge. 'Victorian Broach' has distinctive flowers of magenta-coral and over spotted foliage that is a tight mound in form. There are, at the very least, a dozen more named hybrids I am lusting after this spring, but until I find more room in the garden those three mentioned will have to suffice.
Hellebores and Arum italicum make great companions. Primulas and early blooming wildflowers make great partners as do species tulips. Try trout-lilies, early blooming trilliums, dutchman's breeches and Delphinium tricorne. Primula veris, the English cowslip, in yellow, begins the season with lungwort and Primula sieboldii finishes the blooms carrying over to other perennials. The Japanese painted fern and new, dark-leafed hybrid heucheras make stunning companions, especially when planted in drifts.