'Twinkle Toes' Lungwort (Pulmonaria)
Perennial
- Periwinkle blue flowers bloom in late spring.
- Silver and green foliage shimmer in shade gardens.
- Easy to grow woodland perennial.
- Deer-resistant flowers. Rabbit-resistant too!
- Zones 3-9, shade to part sun, 14" tall and 18" wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Pulmonaria, or lungworts, are woodland perennials with green and silver-speckled foliage. They thrive in full or partial shade, serving as an intriguing groundcover with a tidy and low habit. As a cousin of Brunnera (or bugloss), this lungwort plant complements other early spring bloomers with colorful flowers. They are deer and rabbit resistant, pollinator-friendly, and low maintenance for beginners. Plant this perennial in a shady spot alongside hostas, hellebores, or astilbe for a dynamic shade landscape. Keep them well-watered, and they'll reward you with shimmering foliage from spring to fall.
Details
Patent #: USPP 30,258
Common name: Lungwort, Bethlehem sage
Zone: 3 - 9
Sun exposure: Shade (< 4 hours sun) to part-sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x width: 12-14" x 16-18"
Flower color: Blue with some purple
Foliage color: Green with silver spots
Season of interest: Spring through fall
Bloom time: Early spring
Features: Rabbit & deer resistant, Proven Winners, low flammability, cold tolerant
Uses: Accent, container gardening, cottage gardening, massing, ornamental, specimen, woodland
How to Grow
Light: Shade (< 4 hours sun) to part-sun (4-6 hours sun). Foliage may scorch if grown in too much sun. Although plants tolerate light morning sun, they need afternoon shade.
Water: Average. Don't allow the soils to dry out.
Spacing: 18 - 24 inches
Fertilizing: Fertilizing is not required unless the soil is lacking nutrients. If needed, spread compost manure as soon as flowering is complete.
Winterizing: Allow the plant to die back in the winter and trim the dead foliage in spring.
Maintenance & pruning: Try to keep these plants in an open, airy position with no night time or overhead watering to minimize mildew risk. Remove flower stems immediately after bloom. Plants can be cut back hard immediately after blooming to rejuvenate the leaves, which will then remain attractive all season. Foliage is evergreen in mild climates.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.