Pulmonaria leaves are deer-resistant and range from solid green to nearly pure silver. Pulmonaria cultivars rival hellebores to be the first flowering perennials in the late winter and early spring.
Lungwort, also known as pulmonary or Pulmonaria, is a low-maintenance perennial plant that thrives in shade and adds early season color to the garden With its distinctive silver-spotted foliage and clusters of pink, blue, or white bell-shaped flowers in spring, lungwort is an eye-catching addition to shady beds, borders, and containers If you’re looking to add this beautiful perennial to your landscape, you may be wondering where to find lungwort plants for sale near you.
A Bit About Lungwort
Before jumping into where to buy lungworts, let’s learn a bit more about this perennial plant There are around 18 species of lungwort, with Pulmonaria officinalis being one of the most common. Lungwort grows 12-18 inches tall and spreads slowly via rhizomatous roots over time. The oval to lance-shaped leaves are heavily splashed with silver spots, giving lungwort year-round interest even when not in bloom
The nodding, funnel-shaped flowers appear in early spring, typically in shades of blue, pink, purple, or white depending on variety. Flowers are borne on short stalks above the foliage. Common lungwort varieties include:
- ‘Mrs. Moon’ – Silvery leaves with large blue flowers
- ‘Raspberry Splash’ – Leaves spotted pink and white with raspberry-coral blooms
- ‘Trevi Fountain’ – Green leaves with blue-violet flowers
- ‘Silver Shimmers’ – Small silver-spotted leaves with white to pale pink blooms
Lungwort does best in partial to full shade and moist, humus-rich soil. It spreads slowly to form clumps and mixes nicely with other shade perennials like hostas, astilbes, and hellebores. Once established, lungwort is drought tolerant. Flowers give way to attractive seed pods that can be left for winter interest or removed to prevent self-seeding.
Where to Find Lungwort Plants for Sale
Now that you know a bit about this shade loving perennial, here are some tips on where to find lungwort plants for sale near you:
Check Local Garden Centers and Nurseries
Your first stop in finding lungworts for sale should be local garden centers, nurseries, or family-owned greenhouse operations. Visit a few in your area and check out their perennial offerings. The selection will vary by location and season. Early spring is often the best time to find a variety of potted lungwort plants in bloom so you can see the flower colors. Some tips when buying at local garden centers:
- Inspect plants closely for pests and disease. Choose vigorous, healthy specimens with no wilting, spots, or pest damage.
- For the best selection, shop early in the growing season before stocks are depleted.
- Ask questions and get planting and care advice from staff.
- Consider buying plants sourced and grown locally, which are already acclimated to your environment.
By shopping at local nurseries, you can hand select plants, get expert advice, and easily transport purchases home.
Order Online Through Retail Websites
Another option for finding lungworts for sale is ordering through online plant retailers that ship right to your door. Websites like Breck’s, Bluestone Perennials, Nature Hills Nursery, and Great Garden Plants offer a wide selection of perennial plants, including potted lungwort varieties. The advantages of online ordering include:
- Wider selection of plants and varieties.
- Order at any time and plants ship at proper planting time.
- Convenient shipping directly to your home.
- Avoid transporting plants in your own car.
- Helpful plant descriptions, care guides, and reviews on the websites.
Be sure to order early, account for shipping days, read plant guarantees, and check if a signature is required for delivery.
Look for Mail Order Nurseries
Many specialty mail order nurseries across North America also list lungwort plants among their perennial offerings. These nurseries often have an extensive selection of plants not found elsewhere, rare varieties, and plants suitable for specific conditions.
Some reputable mail order nurseries to check for lungworts include:
- Digging Dog Nursery (California)
- Forest Farm (Oregon)
- High Country Gardens (New Mexico)
- Plant Delights Nursery (North Carolina)
The drawback of mail order is waiting for shipping and the need to quickly plant or pot up plants upon arrival. Order early to get desired varieties.
Check Local Classified Ads
You can sometimes find local gardeners selling off divisions of their own lungwort clumps through classified ads, either online or in print. Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor, and Craigslist often have garden plants offered in the spring and fall. The advantages of buying divisions are the very low cost and getting mature, established plants. Just be sure they are free of pests and diseases before purchasing.
Visit Public Gardens
If you’re struggling to find lungworts for sale in your area, visit any nearby public gardens, parks, or universities with shade plantings. Here you can likely see lungworts in bloom and get inspiration for using them in your own garden. You may even find plants for sale in a gift shop or annual plant sales some public gardens host.
Grow from Seed
Finally, you can grow lungwort from seeds, though it may take 2-3 years to reach maturity and flower. Seeds of some species are available from companies like American Meadows, Eden Brothers, or Park Seed. Start seeds indoors in late winter before the last frost. Growing from seed takes time and effort but allows you to expand your variety.
With so many options, you’re almost certain to find lungwort plants for sale somewhere near you. A quick online search for “perennial plants near me” along with visiting local nurseries will turn up sellers. Then you can bring home this versatile lungwort to enliven those difficult shaded areas.
Lungwort Plants For Sale
Lungwort (Pulmonaria) is a compact shade garden favorite that displays dozens of bright-colored flowers during the early spring. After blooming, gorgeous green foliage takes the stage and shines even without sunlight. This perennial thrives in cool, moist soil sites.
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Pulmonaria leaves are deer-resistant and range from solid green to nearly pure silver. Pulmonaria cultivars rival hellebores to be the first flowering perennials in the late winter and early spring.
Pulmonaria ‘Twinkle Toes’ (Lungwort) // Shade Perennial, Small Blue/Pink flowers & Spotted Foliage
FAQ
When should you plant lungwort?
For best results, plant lungwort in late summer or early autumn, but spring planting can also work. Dig a hole about the same width and depth as the planting container.
Where is the best place to plant lungwort?
Where to grow pulmonaria. Grow lungworts in moist but well-drained soil in partial shade to full shade. They work well in woodland borders and benefit from the shade produced by trees, however they may suffer in dry soils due to tree roots.
Do lungwort plants spread?
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Nature Hills Nurseryhttps://naturehills.comLungwort: Your Shade Gardens Best Friend! – Nature Hills NurserySep 5, 2023 — Lungwort are perennial plants that are not only very attractive, but they are hardy, resilient, and easy to grow! They spread by their slow creeping …
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Chicago Botanic Gardenhttps://www.chicagobotanic.orgPlant Evaluation Notes – An Appraisal of Pulmonaria for the GardenLungworts are clump-forming perennials that can be wide-spreading over time, but grow slowly and are not invasive or aggressive. The low-growing, rhizomatous na…
What is the best lungwort?
- Pulmonaria ‘Sissinghurst White’: This variety is known for its pure white flowers and heavily spotted leaves, providing a striking contrast.
- Pulmonaria ‘Blue Ensign’: This variety is appreciated for its rich, true-blue flowers and plain green leaves without spots.
Is lungwort a flower?
Lungwort is one of those flowers that is absolutely adorable, but has a painfully ugly name. This petite flowering plant boasts both purple and blue flowers. That’s why I prefer to call it by its genus, Pulmonaria. Only 18 different types of this plant exist, most of which are in North America.
Can lungwort be grown from seed?
When sowing outside, you can grow lungwort from seed, but it requires a couple of years to reach its full size. To do this, cover the seeds lightly with topsoil and sow them in the early spring. However, an alternative is to get one bushy plant of lungwort and divide it into several plants.
Is lungwort a shade-loving plant?
Unlike other garden plants, Lungwort grows well in shady gardens. It is a convenient choice because of this. The beautiful flowers look stunning against green leaves, and they provide a burst of color in the early spring. You can plant them alongside Dicentra, a plant with fringed leaves.
Where do you plant lungwort?
Plant lungwort where it will get plenty of shade. A wall, a fence, or some other structure where they’ll be protected from the sun will work. If you plant lungwort under a tree, water it regularly so it doesn’t have to fight with the tree’s roots for the moisture it needs. Tall perennials will also give lungwort protection from the sun.
Can lungwort be used as a medicinal herb?
Lungwort, also known by its botanical name Pulmonaria, has lung-shaped leaves, which is why it got its name. In the past, it was used to treat various lung conditions. Nowadays, it is used with other plants and substances, but it is recommended not to use it as medicine on your own.
How to take care of lungwort?
After the blossom season ends, remove the old leaves directly from the base to let the plant rejuvenate. Keep an eye on your lungwort during dry and hot summers. When you notice the leaves deteriorating, remove them from the stalk. How to Use Lungwort in Your Garden?