Pulmonaria - an Underused Garden Gem

As a garden plant, Pulmonaria gives and gives, so I do find it surprising that it isn’t more widely grown and appreciated.

Perhaps it is the common name of ‘lungwort’ that puts people off? But it shouldn’t! That shows it has been used as a medicinal plant.

Or perhaps it is because the bright yellow of daffodils dancing in the breeze catches the eye and ground hugging pulmonaria is ignored?

I’d like to change your perceptions of this garden worthy plant and bring it to your attention. If, when we’re done, you decide its not a plant for your garden that’s hardly a problem. You may have discovered another spring flowering perennial from the planting partners that you do want to grow. Or at the very least, some ideas for a cheerful spring border! And there are more tips and ideas in the related blog links below, as well as how to get in touch.

Firstly a little bit of Botany

The genus name, Pulmonaria, comes from the Latin pulmo meaning lung and was first used in the 16th century. It is a member of the Boraginaceae family, which includes borage, known as starflower. If you know your borage, you’ll appreciate the familial similarities in the hairy leaves and flower shape.

It is an herbaceous perennial, and generally dies back over winter. The basal rosette of leaves starts to appear in late winter. Most species and cultivars start flowering in March, but Pulmonaria rubra is earlier. The hairy leaves are generally spotted, usually grey-white. The spots are due to the presence of foliage air pockets, which cool the lower leaf surface.

There are probably about fifteen species growing wild throughout Europe and western Asia and numerous garden cultivars. Pulmonaria officinalis is one of the most widespread native plants growing in a range of environments (as we shall see in awhile when planting it in our gardens). And it is this species which was used as a herbal medicine cure for respiratory illnesses throughout the Middle Ages and later.

The medicinal use gave rise to the English common name lungwort, and this name is most descriptive for those pulmonaria which have the eponymous spotted leaves.

But why spotted leaves and lungs?

For this we need to know about the ‘Doctrine of Signatures’. Roughly, this is where the medical opinion and Christian beliefs of the time considered that plants which resembled a diseased part of the body, an ailment or wound, would aid the cure.

Does it work? It is still a treatment used by qualified practitioners for respiratory complaints. Pulmonaria leaves do contain antibiotics, among other helpful and toxic phytochemicals. Not something to treat yourself with at home as it is likely to produce adverse effects when used incorrectly.

The Importance of Botanical Latin

Yeah, yeah, I know many of you find those long names too much to even try to pronounce! Believe me, even us horticulturists look at plant names sometimes and think “what?” The difference, perhaps, is that we would then look at the component parts of the name and get a feel for the plant description.

For example, if you’ve heard that lungwort is a pretty plant to grow in your garden and purchase some online, you may be surprised when a lichen turns up instead of an herbaceous perennial!
This would be one of the genus of lichens called Lobaria, particularly Lobaria pulmonaria, which has the common names of lungwort and lungmoss due to its shape.

Jerusalem cowslip, lungwort, Our Lady’s milk drops, spotted comfrey, soldiers and sailors, are all English / British common names. And notably they do not all have a lung ‘theme’. And whilst French and German names refer to a pulmonary herb, some other common names, Polish for example, pick up on the nectar rich flowers and call it a honey herb.

The moral – check the Botanical Latin name of a plant, not just the common name that may be more familiar. Also be aware that a plant loosely called ‘pulmonaria’ may refer to any and all of the cultivars and species I mention below – and they have different flower colours and leaves.

Where to Grow Pulmonaria

A classic plant for a cottage garden style planting scheme, its medicinal history also makes it a contender for the herb garden.

In the wild, pulmonaria can be found growing in deciduous mixed forests from the lowlands to the mountains. As regards soil, its remarkably tolerant, thriving in alkaline, chalk, clay and slightly acid soils, say pH 5-8.2.

Dappled shade in summer is important, as although they’re reasonably drought tolerant in the right soil, pulmonarias don’t like to be baked. If you are growing them in a more open sunny position, I’ve found that the silver leaved cultivars and species do better. They will all benefit from a mulch in spring to keep their roots cool.

Pulmonarias are easy to grow, although they are prone to mildew. If you notice this, then simply cut off all infected leaves.

Cottage Gardens

As part of a mixed herbaceous border to give changing seasonal interest throughout the year, all of the pulmonarias would work well near the front of the border. You may like to grow them in little groups according to the cultivar to make more of an impact.

Herb Gardens

You would need to grow Pulmonaria officinalis here, the ‘true’ medicinal lungwort plant. Depending on how your herb garden is laid out will determine where to put it. For example, you might have it divided into herbs that are predominantly ‘medicinal’, ‘culinary’, ‘cosmetic’. Or you may just like to plant by soil and sun preference!

Courtyard Gardens, Pots and Planters

Where pulmonarias do not thrive is in smaller containers which are prone to drying out. So if your gardening is in planters rather than the soil, thinking big is best. If you do need to use smaller pots, then cut off flowers as they fade and trim off the older leaves. This reduces the water requirements.

Shady Gardens

Happy in the spring sunshine, these plants do need some shade over the summer. Full shade is too much, morning sun and then shade should do nicely.

Woodland Gardens

Pulmonarias are perfect planting for the woodland edge, where they can enjoy spring sun and summer shade.

Formal Gardens

Although pulmonaria are usually suggested for informal gardens, some of the cultivars would also suit a formal planting scheme. The longifolia cultivars with silver leaves are very elegant.

Pulmonaria Plants to Grow in Your Garden

Its not that I’m ignoring our common lungwort, but there are so many cultivars and species that you may not know about, that I’d rather suggest some of those to you.

NB If you’re at all worried about self seeding and the arrival of new, hybrid plants when you’re growing a selection of species, then be sure to remove the flowers before they go to seed.

Before that, and so you have an idea of the variety of ‘look’ available, a list! Pulmonarias may have –

spotted leaves – varying degrees, spots may be white, grey, blue, black
oval leaves
long, narrow leaves, c 3 times as long as wide
green leaves
silver leaves – all or part of the leaf

Flowers are held in bunches and in colour may be

red
pale pink
rich pink
purple
pale blue
dark blue-purple
white

P. ‘Blue ensign’
Bright blue flowers; dark green foliage, unspotted; semi-evergreen

P. ‘Diana Clare’
Violet blue flowers; narrow leaves, silver with wavy green edges. One of my favourites

P. longifolia ‘Bertram Anderson’
Bright pink buds open to gentian blue flowers; long, narrow deep green leaves, spotted, semi-evergreen

P. rubra
One of earliest to bloom, sometimes staring in November; red flowers and green, semi-evergreen, foliage

P. saccharata ‘leopard’
Coral pink – lilac flowers; semi-evergreen, oval leaves, well spotted

P. ‘Sissinghurst white’
Solid white flowers; mid green leaves, spotted white

P. ‘Trevi fountain’
For lover of Rome perhaps! Long, narrow, silver spotted foliage, blue-lilac flowers

P. ‘Vera May’
Delicate pale pink flowers and lightly spotted foliage

Pollinator friendly Pulmonaria

Pulmonarias are a good source of early nectar for bees in particular, as they emerge and forage for food. Whether these are solitary bees, hairy-footed bees or hungry queen bumblebees.

The blue and purple flowered forms are best (see blog link below). But all pollinators that are busy in February and March will thank you for growing these nectar rich flowers.

If you would like help with creating a planting design your garden – and that could be, for example, a spring flower border, a vegetable plot, a small herb garden, or raised planters on a balcony, do get in touch. Plews is able to offer Gardening Lessons, Garden Design and Planting Designs or a Garden Consultancy Visit to suit your needs. Please check out relevant pages on the website for more details

For further gardening tips and inspiration check out Plews Potting Shed blogs, including the selection below – and find us on Instagram and Facebook