Lungwort 'Blue Ensign'

Sun

Partial shade or light, dappled shade; morning sun is suitable where the soil stays moist. Avoid hot afternoon sun.

Water

Keep evenly moist, especially during establishment and dry spring weather. Established plants tolerate brief dry spells but may lose foliage during summer drought.

Soil

Humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil; tolerates acidic, neutral and alkaline conditions.

Height

0.75-1 ft (0.23-0.3 m)

Spread

1-1.5 ft (0.3-0.45 m)

Flowers

Early to mid-spring, sometimes starting in late winter in mild climates; clusters of rich blue, funnel-shaped flowers.

Foliage

Broad, softly bristly, dark green leaves without the silver spotting found on many lungworts. Usually deciduous, though some foliage may persist through mild winters.

Growth

Moderate; gradually forms a broad clump.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Cold hardy
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   0.9 ft (0.27 m)

   full size

About 3 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Growth rate

Moderate

• Water at soil level during dry spells; do not leave the crown sitting in saturated soil.
• Apply a thin layer of garden compost or leaf mould in spring, keeping it clear of the crown.
• Avoid heavy feeding; an annual compost dressing is usually enough.
• Divide crowded or declining clumps after flowering or in early autumn, and water the divisions well.
• In hot climates, choose the coolest shaded position available; prolonged summer heat can cause dormancy.

Pruning. After flowering, remove spent flower stems and cut away damaged or mildewed leaves at their bases. If most foliage is shabby, cut it back after flowering and water well to encourage fresh growth.

Late winter

Remove dead leaves carefully without damaging emerging flower stems.

Early spring

Top-dress with compost or leaf mould and check soil moisture as growth starts.

Late spring

Remove spent flower stems and tired foliage; divide established clumps if needed.

Summer

Water during dry spells and watch for powdery mildew or leaf scorch.

Early autumn

Plant or divide while the soil is moist, allowing roots to establish before winter.

• Plant in small groups at the front of a shaded border for a low ribbon of blue spring flowers.
• Use beneath deciduous shrubs, where spring light reaches the flowers before the canopy closes.
• Combine with hellebores and spring bulbs for a long early-season display.
• Edge a woodland path with its dark foliage, contrasting it with ferns and silver-leaved shade plants.

Garden styles it suits: Woodland, Cottage garden, English country, Blues and silvers, Pollinator garden and Secret garden.

Plant it with: Hellebores, Snowdrops, Daffodils, Hostas, Hardy ferns and Siberian bugloss.

Wildlife: The early flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees, particularly bumblebees.

• Powdery mildew: white coating develops on leaves, especially when roots are dry. Improve airflow, water during drought and remove badly affected foliage.
• Slugs and snails: young leaves may be holed or stripped. Check after dark, remove pests and use wildlife-conscious slug controls where necessary.
• Leaf scorch or summer dieback: hot sun and dry soil brown the leaves. Provide afternoon shade and more consistent moisture; living crowns may regrow when conditions improve.
• Crown rot: persistently wet soil can kill the clump. Improve drainage and avoid burying the crown under soil or mulch.

Not generally listed as toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses, but specific safety information for this cultivar is limited. It is not an edible plant; avoid eating any part or using it as a home remedy. The bristly foliage may irritate sensitive skin.

• Common lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)

  Usually has conspicuously pale-spotted leaves and flowers that change from pink to blue; 'Blue Ensign' has plain dark green leaves and notably rich blue flowers.

• Siberian bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla)

  Has heart-shaped leaves and small, flat, five-petalled blue flowers on airy branching stems; lungwort has more elongated leaves and funnel-shaped flowers.

Pulmonaria comes from the Latin pulmo, meaning lung, reflecting the historical belief that the lung-like markings on some species' leaves indicated a treatment for lung ailments.

Propagation. Divide healthy clumps after flowering or in early autumn, retaining roots and growing points on each division. Seedlings, if produced, will not reliably retain the cultivar's characteristics.

Accepted botanical name

Pulmonaria

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.