Pulmonaria

One of the pleasures of Pulmonarias is how early they begin to make a difference. Better known as lungwort, these hardy perennials produce clusters of small funnel-shaped flowers in spring, often opening pink before changing through violet to blue as they mature. Beneath them, broad leaves bring just as much character, with many varieties patterned in silver spots, splashes or broad metallic washes. The combination makes Pulmonaria especially valuable in parts of the garden where foliage needs to carry the display once the first flush of flowers has passed. 

A cool, moisture-retentive position suits bare-root Pulmonaria particularly well. They thrive in partial or dappled shade and sit naturally beneath deciduous shrubs, along woodland edges or among ferns, hostas and other shade-loving perennials. Their early flowers are also useful to bees and other pollinators emerging at the beginning of the season, while established plants gradually develop into generous leafy clumps that help knit a border together.

For UK gardens, lungwort plants are an excellent way to make shady planting feel more layered and considered rather than simply green. Silver-leaved forms can brighten darker corners, greener varieties blend beautifully into naturalistic schemes, and both offer a satisfying contrast to finer foliage nearby. Pulmonaria brings flowers, pattern and texture together in one dependable perennial, earning its place long after spring has moved on.