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2024 Author: Sebastian Paterson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:47
Spectacular foliage plant for your garden
Medunitsa David Ward
More recently, there were few varieties of lungwort in our gardens. Perhaps, one could see only sugar honey and honey fungus.
And it is quite another matter now. We could only dream of such a variety of varieties before.
So, what are these plants - lungwort? Lungworts (Pulmonaria) are herbaceous perennials. The name pulmonaria comes from the Latin word "pulmo" - lung. The fact is that in the old days the leaves of these plants were used in the treatment of pulmonary diseases. The Russian name "lungwort" was given to the plant for the abundance of honey - sweet nectar in its flowers.
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Features of culture
The lungwort belongs to the Boraginaceae family. These plants originate from deciduous forests and foothills of Europe and East Asia.
The root system of the lungwort is shallow, the plant prefers loose fertile soils. It is advisable to plant it in the shade, but it will grow well in the sun. The ideal planting site for lungwort is in the shade of some fern, hosta or coniferous tree - thuja, juniper or mountain pine. The role of this plant in the garden is to provide a carpet under the trees and shrubs.
The lungwort reproduce by dividing the bush, breaking up into small rosettes, which then easily take root. Given the current long warm autumn, it is possible to divide the lungwort at the end of September, even in October. My experience shows that all such divisions successfully take root without attacks.
Lungwort varieties
Lungwort varieties Mrs Moon
One of the first to appear in my garden was the Mrs Moon lungwort. This variety has dark green leaves, which are up to 20 cm long and 5-7 cm wide. The leaves are rough, there are silvery and white blurred spots all over their surface.
This lungwort blooms in June with bluish-lilac flowers that open from pink buds. The height of the rosette is 20-25 cm. This lungwort is very decorative and attractive.
Samurai variety also grows in the garden. Its leaf is narrow, purely silvery, it can reach a length of up to 60 cm, and its width is 3-5 cm. With the growth of the rosette upward, this variety becomes more and more beautiful every year. The height of the bush is 30-35 cm.
Very similar to Samurai and Majeste lungwort. Only this variety has a shorter and wider leaf. Its dimensions are about 25x7 cm. And the leaf seems more milky-silvery white. The flowers of this lungwort are pink-blue, it blooms in May-June.
Lungwort variety David Ward
Lungwort of the David Ward variety looks unusually elegant. She has light green leaves measuring 20x7 cm, along the edge of which there is a white stripe.
The flowers of this variety are bright red, visible from afar, they beckon to come closer and see: what kind of miracle bloomed in the garden in May. The disadvantage of this lungwort can be considered the folding of the leaf up along the central vein. These are my observations and only my personal experience.
I also consider the Diana Clare variety a very beautiful lungwort. The rosette height of this plant is 20-25 cm. The leaf is silvery, along the edge there are green spots. Over time, the leaves become wavy. The flowers of this variety are blue-violet, Diana Clare blooms in late May-June. This lungwort belongs to the long-leaved.
British Sterling lungwort is still extremely rare, even among the most enthusiastic flower lovers. It has a very large leaf. Its size reaches 30 cm, and its width is up to 10-13 cm. The color of the leaf is light green-silver, the flowers of this variety are pink-blue.
Samurai lungwort
The Longifolia lungwort is simply charming. It has very long narrow leaves with large streaks. After 2-3 years, it takes on a decorative appearance, the bush reaches a height of 20-25 cm.
This plant can decorate any garden arrangement. Geraniums, hosts, brunners will be good neighbors for this lungwort, and in the vicinity of the geychers you will get a cheerful bright corner, which you cannot run past without a smile and joy.
Another amazing lungwort of the Cevennensis variety belongs to the long-leaved species. Her leaf is long, narrow with large blurred spots and dots. The three-year-old bush of this lungwort is very decorative, it reaches a height of 30 cm. This variety blooms with pink-blue flowers.
I also have one more variety - Opal. Its leaf is oblong, 18x6 cm in size, has blurry spots of silver color. The peculiarity of the variety is pure blue large flowers.
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Agrotechnology of these beautiful perennials is simple. You need to plant in the shade, partial shade or in diffused shade. Soils are needed fertile, loose. These plants are hygrophilous. Propagated by dividing the bush, you can divide it after 3-4 years. All lungwort are decorative, unpretentious, winter-hardy.
The use of pulmonaria in landscape
Lager and geranium
Other plants in the shady garden will make good neighbors for lungwort. These are black cohosh, basil, ferns, buzulniks, hosts, geraniums and conifers.
Also lungwort can be used in groups, mixborders and on rocky areas. The leaves of this plant do not lose their decorative effect for a long time, so they are well suited for borders.
While gardeners and summer residents still rarely grow lungwort in their gardens, although these early flowering, with beautiful foliage, creating a decorative cover of plants should find their place in summer cottages and personal plots.
I wish all gardeners to grow more varieties of lungwort. They will not let you down, because they have no enemies and do not get sick. Plantings can be mulched with pine bark or decorative pebbles.
I wish you all good luck and good weather!
Valentina Sabenina
amateur gardener
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