The woodland beauty with a dreadful name.
Pulmonaria officinalis, an early spring bloomer, is a wonderful woodland perennial with flowers that begin as a pink hue and transition to deep blue as it matures. Despite its delicate blossoms and beauty, its broad and hairy leaves with mottled spots are thought to resemble diseased lungs, inspiring its common name: ‘Lungwort.’
Pollination is supported by insects, including bees, bumblebees, and butterflies, and though its rhizomes help it to grow into a space, ants can chip in to spread the seed.
The Pulmonaria officinalis puts on its best display when massed, and as a bonus, it is deer and pest-resistant.
The plant prefers a shady site with moist, well-drained soil, and when winters are mild, it remains evergreen with year-round interest. You can find this plant in full bloom now in the understory of the Alleyne and Barbara Cook Rhododendron Walk.
