Gardening Guides
Central Plains Gardening
Great Design Plant: Lungwort
Yes, the name is unfortunate. But the flowers and foliage are delightful, and this perennial is easy to grow and shunned by deer
A cottage garden favorite, this easy-care perennial has it all. Whether you need an attractive alternative to hostas for your shade garden, a unique foliage plant for a sunny border or an early-blooming treat for bees and hummingbirds, lungwort delivers.
It derives its rather unfortunate common name from its resemblance to diseased lungs and has even been used as a treatment for such. Thankfully today what was once considered a plant aberration is now considered beautiful, with many named cultivars available.
It derives its rather unfortunate common name from its resemblance to diseased lungs and has even been used as a treatment for such. Thankfully today what was once considered a plant aberration is now considered beautiful, with many named cultivars available.
Distinguishing traits. Lungwort is one of the earliest perennials to appear in spring and one of the last to go dormant in fall.
The large, elongated leaves are spotted with silver — this would be an attractive foliage plant even if it never bloomed. Clusters of tubular flowers are held high above the foliage in spring and offer an early treat to hummingbirds and bees. Each flower opens pink before fading to blue, creating a wonderful two-tone effect and giving rise to one of its fun common names: soldiers and sailors.
The large, elongated leaves are spotted with silver — this would be an attractive foliage plant even if it never bloomed. Clusters of tubular flowers are held high above the foliage in spring and offer an early treat to hummingbirds and bees. Each flower opens pink before fading to blue, creating a wonderful two-tone effect and giving rise to one of its fun common names: soldiers and sailors.
How to use it. So many possibilities. A few:
• Interplant it with early-spring bulbs.
• Combine it with astilbe in a woodland garden — lungwort makes a beautiful ground cover.
• Use it in containers for three seasons of interest.
• Cut a few flowering stems for a windowsill posy.
• Combine it with other silver foliage plants for an elegant monochromatic scheme.
This photograph shows lungwort with 'Silver Mound' wormwood (Artemisia schmidtiana 'Nana'). The contrast in texture between the coarse, spotted lungwort and feathery wormwood looks stunning in my sunny garden all summer.
• Interplant it with early-spring bulbs.
• Combine it with astilbe in a woodland garden — lungwort makes a beautiful ground cover.
• Use it in containers for three seasons of interest.
• Cut a few flowering stems for a windowsill posy.
• Combine it with other silver foliage plants for an elegant monochromatic scheme.
This photograph shows lungwort with 'Silver Mound' wormwood (Artemisia schmidtiana 'Nana'). The contrast in texture between the coarse, spotted lungwort and feathery wormwood looks stunning in my sunny garden all summer.
Planting notes. Lungwort prefers well-drained but moisture-retentive soil, although it will tolerate both wetter and drier conditions. Cut back the flowering stems and the leaves after it blooms; mildew may be a problem without this step. New foliage will quickly regrow to produce a tidy mound.
Plants can easily be divided in early fall.
More: What to Do in Your Garden Now
Plants can easily be divided in early fall.
More: What to Do in Your Garden Now
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Common name: Lungwort, Bethlehem sage, soldiers and sailors
USDA zones: 3 to 8 (find your zone)
Water requirement: Low to average
Light requirement: Partial shade to full sun
Mature size: 1 foot tall and 16 inches wide
Benefits and tolerances: Deer resistant; a hummingbird favorite; tolerant of damp soils
Seasonal interest: Spring through fall
When to plant: Spring or fall