How big does lungwort grow?
Most species and varieties grow nine to 18 inches tall. Plants may eventually spread two to three feet wide. Lungworts can be used as specimen plants in perennial beds and borders or as a groundcover. Lungworts are clump-forming perennials that can be wide-spreading over time, but grow slowly and are not invasive or aggressive. The low-growing, rhizomatous nature of lungworts makes them good ground cover plants under small trees and shrubs.Lungwort plants need partial sun to shade, and plants that receive too much or not enough light may not bloom well. An unexpected cold snap at the start of the growing season can damage the plant and delay blooming. Lungwort plants have moderate water needs, and plants that are dehydrated may not bloom.Lungwort likes partial to full shade but isn’t a plant that likes to be forgotten. It will thrive best with consistent watering, rewarding the gardener with beautiful spotted foliage in bright shades of green tucked away even in the darker corners of the garden.Prune Lungwort at the end of the growing season, but the extent of the pruning depends on your growing zone. In mild winter climates, Lungwort can grow as an evergreen and should be trimmed to remove leggy growth. This light trim prepares the plant for winter.
Does lungwort spread quickly?
They spread by their slow creeping rhizomes, yet are not invasive! Politely spreading and forming clumps of silver-speckled leaves. Lungwort is a cool plant that emerges early in spring and immediately sends up fuzzy leaves, and flower stalks follow soon thereafter. Once established, lungworts need little extra care. You only need to water them in times of drought and they only need light fertilizer once a year. Once you get past the ugly name, planting lungwort in your garden becomes a wonderful idea. Growing lungwort in your shade garden is both easy and beautiful.Lungworts do not perform well in dry or wet sites. Plants will wilt badly in dry areas. They often die in wet soils. Lungworts like an even supply of moisture during the growing season.The underground rhizome of this semi-evergreen plant allows herbaceous, showy new growth to bloom afresh each year. The bloom time of lungwort plants is in the early spring, and it will stay viable until the first frost of the winter. They grow best in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–8.Step 1 – Cut back overgrowth on Lungwort plants grown in areas with mild winters. Step 2 – Remove all growth after the first frost. Step 3 – Place a layer of mulch around the Lungwort plant to protect the roots from cold weather. Step 4 – Cover the plant in warm areas if the weather calls for a cold snap.While this plant has stunning good looks, it is also poisonous, so be careful when including it in your landscape, especially if you have young children or pets. Some varieties of Lungwort plants are not toxic, but most are, so it’s best to be safe and treat all plants as if they are dangerous.
What grows well with Lungwort?
Brighten up a shady area in the garden with the colorful flowers and silvery foliage of lungwort (Pulmonaria spp. It pairs well with hellebores, hostas, ferns, bleeding hearts, and other shade perennials. The patterned leaves have a silvery hue that contrasts well with the green foliage of other perennials. Lungwort, or Pulmonaria, is a great plant for the partly sunny or shade garden. It offers multiple seasons of interest, starting with lovely white or lavender, to purple flowers in early Spring, followed by the development of new, basal leaves decorated with white spots and blotches.The underground rhizome of this semi-evergreen plant allows herbaceous, showy new growth to bloom afresh each year. The bloom time of lungwort plants is in the early spring, and it will stay viable until the first frost of the winter. They grow best in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–8.Grow lungworts in moist but well-drained soil in partial to full shade. Plant pulmonaria singly, or in groups or drifts, in good fertile soil in partial shade. Once established, pulmonarias need little care apart from cutting back once or twice a year.
Does lungwort need full sun?
Narrow-leaf lungwort performs best in partial to full shade, and rich, moist, well-drained soils. Dry soils, direct sun, and extreme heat should be avoided. They prefer cool shaded areas for peak performance. They may be propagated by division which is best done after flowering in the spring or during the fall. Lungworts need only a modest amount of water, but should not be allowed to dry out completely. Because they grow in the shade, the soil tends to stay moist for longer than it does in harsh sun; but when the soil does dry out, water thoroughly to a depth of 10 to 12 inches.
Where is the best place to plant lungwort?
Grow lungworts in moist but well-drained soil in partial to full shade. Plant pulmonaria singly, or in groups or drifts, in good fertile soil in partial shade. Once established, pulmonarias need little care apart from cutting back once or twice a year. The prime time to transplant common lungwort is in the flourishing heart of late spring to early summer, which allows it to settle in optimum conditions. Shifting common lungwort during this period promises a smooth transition, as the warming soil and more consistent moisture greatly facilitate root development.Plant Lungwort plants in late summer or early fall for best results, although these perennials can be planted in the spring after the threat of frost has passed. Avoid planting Lungwort during early or mid-summer when the temperatures soar.