Looking for an excellent, generous groundcover to brighten shade or partial shade from early spring? I have just the plant you need: lungwort. Or rather lungworts, as they come in many varieties offering a range of colours and distinctive foliage that will work wonders in your garden.
I have a soft spot for these handsome, undemanding perennials. Their early and abundant flowering is much appreciated by pollinators.
I should add that they are very hardy and do very well in my clay soil, which to me is particularly valuable. Admittedly they are not evergreen but their dense foliage remains in place for many months, making them ideal companions in a low-maintenance garden.
So today I present a few of the cultivars in my Ardennes garden that, I’m sure, will pique your interest.
1- A colourful array
Some cultivars display several shades on the same plant. This is the case with Pulmonaria saccharata ‘Mrs Moon’, whose bells shift from pink to pale blue as they open. The same phenomenon is seen in the delightful ‘Majesté’, which also boasts remarkable foliage. If you prefer white, no problem, ‘Sissinghurst White’ is for you! Or ‘Opal’ in a very pale blue, almost white. Conversely, if you want to introduce violet, you will no doubt be won over by contrast of ‘Diana Clare’. Or why not the purplish-pink of ‘Leopard’? There is something for every taste!
P. ‘Diana Clare’- P. ‘Leopard’ - P. ‘Opal’
2- Spotted foliage
Do you like to focus on foliage? It’s an excellent idea: foliage provides extra interest because it extends period of appeal. I increasingly plant species with interesting foliage, whether for shape, colour or texture. Among lungworts, some display admirable originality, while others favour a discreet charm that is equally appealing. This applies to majority of lungworts, whose leaf spots vary in prominence depending on species.
P. ‘Mrs Moon’ - P. ‘Leopard’
3- Elegance of silver foliage
It’s hard to miss those elegant silver leaves. ‘Majesté’ remains unrivalled and much admired. And rightly so! Its entirely silver foliage is most striking and its bells, pink with a hint of mauve, are delightful. It’s a real showstopper!
Pulmonaria angustifolia ‘Majesté’
I mentioned earlier the selection P. angustifolia ‘Diana Clare’ and its incredible violet flowering that stands out from afar. Its foliage, heavily inlaid with silver, is particularly striking.
Pulmonaria angustifolia ‘Diane Clare’
As you’ll have gathered, I’m smitten and will certainly be adding more specimens to my garden. Given multitude of lungwort varieties to discover, I reckon this family will continue to surprise you.
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