Lungwort needs normal garden soil and the minimum of attention, to give a lovely display of pink and purple flowers in March and April.
Lungwort is a member of the Borage famly and is also known as Jerusalem Cowslip, Bethlehem Sage and Spotted Dog. The spotted leaves of Lungwort have been used in medicines for centuries, mainly in cough syrups, although this particular variety is no longer used.
The scientific name Pulmonaria was derived from the Latin word "pulmo", meaning "the lung", because the spotted oval leaves of lungwort resembled diseased, ulcerated lungs. Many people believed that lungwort could treat pulmonary (lung) infections and was soon used as remedy for chest infections and coughs and colds.
Where to plant lungwort
Lungwort does well in any soil but does prefer light shade
Routine care of lungwort
Lungwort leaves may turn mildewy in summer, especially if the soil dries out too much, don't worry though, simply cut the leaves back, almost to the floor, and new shoots will soon reappear. Lungwort will wilt quickly in full sun, so try to plant them in light shade.
Recommended varieties of lungwort
Pulmonaria saccharata : Choose this species of lungwort for it's decorative spotty leaves which look good in the garden long after the flowers have finished
Pulmonaria rubra 'Redstart' : Has coral red flowers that look wonderful against the green foliage
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Growing Lungwort....(Pulmonaria)
