Pulmonaria

DATE: 05/05/05

CONTACT: Clemson Extension Home & Garden Information Center, 1-888-656-9988

WRITER: Rebecca Slater, Horticulture Information Specialist

PLANT PROFILE: Pulmonaria ‘Roy Davidson’ (Roy Davidson Lungwort)

Roy Davidson lungwort is a cheerful, easy perennial that brightens shady areas each spring with its bright blue, bell-shaped flowers. They open in mid-March in the upstate, and combine well with the pink, purple or white flowers of hellebores and the pink, red or white flowers of camellias. The show continues for over a month. This easy-to-grow perennial will tolerate heat and humidity, and performs best in the upstate area.

‘Roy Davidson’ is a hybrid between Pulmonaria longifolia, which has very long, thin, evenly spotted leaves, and P. saccharata, which has shorter and wider variably spotted leaves.

Plants grow about six inches tall, with flowerstalks that can reach another six inches above the foliage. The rough-textured leaves are a pleasing medium green and are covered with small white spots. While normally deciduous, a few leaves may stay green during mild winters. Remove old leaves when new ones appear in spring.

Give Roy Davidson lungwort a partially shaded spot with moderately moist, well-drained soil. A two to three inch layer of mulch will keep the soil cool, keep moisture in, and help cut down on weeds.

Flowerstalks should be cut to the ground after the plant has finished blooming. This will decrease the number of seedlings and improve the overall appearance of the plant. Lungwort may also be divided at this time, if necessary.

Root rot can be a problem for lungwort if the soil is not well-drained. Raised beds can be a good solution, as can adding organic material to the soil.

How did such a beautiful plant get the unbecoming name lungwort? A German herbalist in the 14 th-century believed that a plants’ appearance related to its healing qualities. Because the shape and spotting on the leaves were thought to resemble a diseased lung, they were used to treat lung problems. Wort was a name often given to plants that were used medicinally.

For answers to your gardening, pest and food safety questions, visit the Clemson Extension Home & Garden Information Center website at http://hgic.clemson.edu or call us toll-free at 1-888-656-9988.

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