About
Pulmonaria angustifolia, the narrow-leaved lungwort, is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial to 30 cm with roughly hairy, unspotted, ovate, dark-green basal leaves and leafy stems bearing terminal clusters of bright, deep-blue, funnel-shaped flowers from late winter to mid-spring. An ornamental and early-flowering ground-cover for a shaded, moist border.
About the genus
Pulmonaria, the lungworts, are herbaceous or semi-evergreen, rhizomatous perennials with hairy, often attractively spotted or marbled leaves and terminal clusters of funnel-shaped flowers that open pink and turn blue or violet in late winter and early spring. Excellent ground-cover plants for shaded, moist borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectNorth-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toEurope
Care notes
CultivationGrow in humus-rich, fertile, moist but not waterlogged soil. Makes good groundcover and is attractive to bees. Remove old leaves after flowering
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or by division
Pest resistanceSlugs and snails may be a problem
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews in dry weather