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What We've Included
When to Plant | How to Plant | Where to Plant | When to Water | Deadheading | Overwintering | Propagating | Common Issues & How to Solve Them | When do they Flower?
When to Plant
Pulmonaria are best planted in autumn or spring. Container plants can be planted in summer as long as they’re watered regularly through dry spells.
How to Plant
Planting Loose Roots
Loose roots to beginners might sound intimidating but are in fact, incredibly easy to plant! Here’s how to do it:
- Soak roots in a bucket of water for 1-2 hours before planting.
- Dig a hole in the border that’s big enough to house the root system. If planting in pots, fill a large pot halfway with potting soil and then pop the roots in with the crown pointing upwards and the root system pointing to the floor.
- Plant in groups for a fuller display, usually in groups of 3, somewhere that gets plenty of sunlight.
- Ensure the crown is just below the soil unless the plant has some leaves, in which case leave them exposed with the rest of the root system under the soil.
- Water well once planted.
Planting Pot-Grown Plants/Modules
Our pot-grown plants are incredibly easy to plant and grow. Whether you’re growing them directly outside into the border or into a container, our pot-grown plants are a breeze from the moment they arrive.
- Dig a hole in the border that’s big enough to house the root system. If planting in pots, fill a large pot halfway with potting soil and then make a well in the middle. Do this until the top of the soil from the plant is just below the top of the pot.
- Wedge in the plant by adding soil to the gaps in the hole, firming down the surface to ensure it’s in place.
- Water well and you’re done!
Where to Plant
Lungworts can be grown in moist but well-drained soil and partial or fully shaded areas of the garden. They’re great for under trees and shrubs, although some sunlight will help them thrive.
When to Water
Water once a week, or more frequently if you’re planting them in summer. If they’re kept in dry soil for too long, they can get a powdery mildew on the leaves, so ensure they’re regularly watered if it’s not raining very often in your area.
Deadheading
Pulmonaria requires very little pruning. Cut back dead leaves on plants that have died back in autumn, cutting them down to ground level. Evergreen varieties should be cut back immediately after they’ve flowered.
Overwintering
Pulmonaria, like many perennials, dies back over winter. To help them survive, cut them back to the ground after they’ve finished flowering in mid-autumn. Cover the area with a thick layer of mulch to protect them from frosts.
Propagating
You can propagate Pulmonaria by division. This can be done in autumn or spring, preferably once they’ve finished flowering if you choose to divide them in autumn. The division helps to decongest large clumps that have gotten a bit too wild over a few years of growth. To divide lungwort, lift it out of the ground gently, trying not to damage the roots, and split clumps with a spade.
Common Issues & How to Solve Them
One of the main issues that Pulmonaria faces is powdery mildew. This is caused by not having enough airflow around the base of the plants, and overly dry conditions. Try not to plant them too close together and water them when they feel a bit dry to mitigate this issue.
When do they Flower?
Lungwort flowers for months on end in spring, giving the garden a whole new lease of life when not much else will. You can see these plants bloom from as early as February, all the way through to the middle of May (depending on the variety, of course!). Simply give them the perfect conditions, and they’ll thrive without much interference.
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