Guide to growing Lungwort - Pulmonaria
Pulmonaria are woodland hardy perennials.
They bloom in the springtime with tubular flowers of purple or pink.
They have great looking leaves which are speckled with white or silver spots.
Some common names for Pulmonaria are Lungwort and Bethlehem Sage.
How to grow Lungwort
It is best to grow Lungwort and other Pulmonaria plants from divided plants (divide in spring) or plants purchased in a garden center. If growing Lungwort from seed they are often of lower quality. However, if you plan to grow from seed, this is how to do it. Seeds should be sown at the start of spring; once sown lightly cover the seeds topsoil. Depending upon the Pulmonaria species size they should be spaced from 15 to 45 cm apart. Lungwort (Pulmonaria) can grow in fully and partially shaded areas of the garden and like a rich soil that moist and cool.
You can start off Lungwort indoors about two months in advance (plant out in autumn). The Lungwort seeds will take about 4 to 7 weeks to germinate at 15 to 17 degrees centigrade.
Caring for lungwort and other Pulmonaria
Pulmonaria species such as Lungwort and Bethlehem Sage like to grow in soil that is cool and moist, so they require regular watering and should be mulched in the spring. Additionally they will thrive if fed with fertilizer at the same time. To maintain vigour divide the Pulmonaria plants every four years; this is also the way to propagate the plants and should be done in the spring.