About
Pulmonaria rubra, the red lungwort, is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial to 40 cm with light-green, unspotted leaves and short, leafy stems bearing clusters of coral-red flowers from late winter to spring. The earliest of the lungworts to flower � a rewarding and ornamental 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
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toSE Europe
Care notes
CultivationGrow in humus-rich, fertile, moist but not waterlogged soil in full or partial shade
PruningRemove old leaves after flowering
PropagationPropagate by division after flowering or in autumn
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews in dry conditions