Pulmonarias have been grown in gardens for centuries. They have many common names including Lungwort (Pulmo is also the Latin name for lung), as the plant was reputed to cure lung disease. They are woodland plants and thrive in dappled shade under shrubs and trees, preferring a soil that does not dry out. They are hardy and easy to grow, and provide a rich source of nectar for early bees. Most start to bloom in late February or early March, and some are still in flower in early May. The flower colours are white, pink and blue with many variations, and many varieties open in one colour and then fade to another, often pink to blue. This gave rise to another common name of ‘soldiers and sailors’ from the times when soldiers wore red uniforms. The leaves are often evergreen, varying from dark to pale. They can also be marked with silver or silvered completely. ‘Blue Ensign’ is a beautiful deep gentian blue, ‘Bowles Red’, a deep coral, is one of the hardiest reds, and ‘Opal’ is a very pale blue. The best white is ‘Sissinghurst White’ although white varieties are not as robust as the other colours. Plants will cross pollinate and produce seedlings with an amazing array of colours. 

Mildew can be a problem and the leaves can start to look tatty later in the year. Cut the foliage back after flowering and water well and the plant will produce new fresh leaves. Mildew is due to water stress in a dry summer but plants will recover. Pulmonarias are one of the best garden plants – easy, hardy and long flowering, with welcome flowers early in the year for bees.