The short answer

Quick Answer

Pulmonaria (Lungwort) thrives in partial shade or full shade on chalky, clay soils (pH 6-7.5), free-draining. Reaches 25 to 40cm tall, 45cm spread. Excellent chalk tolerance. Hardy to around -20°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: After flowering in May. Cut back old leaves to refresh

How: Shear the whole clump to 5cm above ground after flowering. New fresh leaves appear within 3 weeks

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: Europe including the UK

Native or exotic: Native. Pulmonaria officinalis has naturalised in UK woodlands since the 1500s

History: Grown in UK gardens since the 1500s as both a medicinal plant and an ornamental

Folklore: In country tradition, lungwort was called 'spotted dog' or 'Joseph and Mary' for the two-toned flowers

Fun fact: The white spots on the leaves were thought to resemble diseased lungs, and under the 'doctrine of signatures' the plant was used to treat lung complaints. The Latin name Pulmonaria comes from pulmo, the Latin for lung

Historical medicinal uses: Historically used for respiratory complaints. Not recommended for self-medication

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Outstanding early nectar for emerging bumblebees and hairy-footed flower bees [3][4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 10 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [4][5]

Biodiversity value: 8 out of 10 High. Flowers at a critical time for early bees[4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 7 out of 10 Pink and blue flowers March to May. Spotted foliage all summer[3][4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Pairs with hellebores, brunnera, snowdrops and primroses

Pest control: Generally pest free

Common diseases and issues: Powdery mildew in dry conditions. Cutting back after flowering usually cures it. See RHS Pulmonaria page

Invasive note: Not invasive. Forms slowly expanding clumps

CGM care note

We always cut pulmonaria back hard after flowering in May. Within a month the new leaves look better than ever and the plants stay tidy through winter.

CGM guides mentioning Pulmonaria (Lungwort)

These articles from our Gardening Knowledge library mention Pulmonaria (Lungwort) and may be useful if you are researching or growing this plant.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Pulmonaria (Lungwort)

How Pulmonaria (Lungwort) fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

  • Hosta (Plantain Lily), shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Hydrangea, shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Hardy Garden Ferns, shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Astilbe, shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Dicentra (Bleeding Heart), shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Hellebores (Lenten Rose), shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders

Avoid planting beside

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Replacement for failed box

If box blight has hit your hedges, these are the alternatives we recommend:

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Pulmonaria (Lungwort).

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Pulmonaria (Lungwort) are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Pulmonaria (Lungwort) (Pulmonaria officinalis and hybrids). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Pulmonaria (Lungwort). The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Pulmonaria officinalis and hybrids. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Boraginaceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Weigend M, Gottschling M, Selvi F, Hilger HH (2009). Marbleseeds of the Boraginaceae. Systematic Botany, 34(3), 503-518.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Boraginaceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: origin, taxonomy, pollinators, seasonal_highlight.

  4. 4
    Hicks DM, Ouvrard P, Baldock KCR, et al. (2016). Food for pollinators: quantifying the nectar and pollen resources of urban flower meadows. PLOS ONE, 11(6), e0158117.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 10/10 for Pulmonaria (Lungwort). The pollinator description above ("Outstanding early nectar for emerging bumblebees and hairy-footed flower bees") is consistent with this study's finding that plants in the high-nectar-yield category attract exceptional numbers of bees, butterflies, and moths. The Biodiversity value assessment ("High. Flowers at a critical time for early bees") is supported by the study's quantification of nectar resources during the mid-summer flowering period (Seasonal highlight: "Pink and blue flowers March to May. Spotted foliage all summer"). Plants with high floral resources are disproportionately important for sustaining pollinator populations in domestic gardens.

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 10/10 and the Pollinators description ("Outstanding early nectar for emerging bumblebees and hairy-footed flower bees"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Pulmonaria (Lungwort)'s ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("High. Flowers at a critical time for early bees") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Pulmonaria (Lungwort). The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Pulmonaria (Lungwort)'s rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Boraginaceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Pulmonaria (Lungwort). The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Pulmonaria (Lungwort). This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Pulmonaria (Lungwort). The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Pulmonaria (Lungwort). The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Pulmonaria (Lungwort). The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Pulmonaria (Lungwort). This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Pulmonaria (Lungwort). Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Pulmonaria (Lungwort) performs well locally

Towns where Pulmonaria (Lungwort) is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

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