Pulmonaria longifolia
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Pulmonaria cevennensis
- Pulmonaria longifolia subsp. cevennensis
- Phonetic Spelling
- pul-mo-NARE-ee-ah lon-jee-FOH-lee-uh
- Description
-
Narrow-leaf lungwort is a shade-loving, semi-evergreen, herbaceous perennial. It is low-growing and clump-forming. The leaves are fuzzy, narrow, deep green, and mottled with silver or white blotches. Funnel-shaped flowers bloom in shades of blue, purple, or pink. It is a member of the Boraginaceae or borage family.
This plant is native to western Europe or more specifically, France, Great Britain, Portugal, and Spain. It is typically found in woodlands or scrub areas. A subspecies cevennesis is a native of southern France in the Cevennes Mountain. This subspecies has leaves that are up to 24 inches long.
The genus name, Pulmonaria, is derived from the Latin word, pulmo, which means "lung." In the past, it was believed that this plant was a remedy for lung diseases. The species name, longifolia, is Latin and means long leaves which describe its leaf shape. The common name, lungwort, references the spotted leaves that resemble a diseased lung.
Narrow-leaf lungwort performs best in partial to full shade, and rich, moist, well-drained soils. Dry soils, direct sun, and extreme heat should be avoided. They prefer cool shaded areas for peak performance. They may be propagated by division which is best done after flowering in the spring or during the fall.
The narrow-leaf lungwort has both basal and cauline leaves. The basal leaves form a dense clump. Each leaf is up to 12 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. The cauline leaves are smaller and are sparsely placed along the stems. Clusters of funnel-shaped flowers appear in the spring.
The leaves, stems, and blooms of lungwort are toxic to cats and dogs. They contain chemicals known as saponins and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. If ingested, pets may exhibit symptoms such as loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty walking, or neurological problems. Consult your veterinarian immediately.
Consider using the narrow-leaf lungwort as a low spreading ground cover in woodland or shaded areas. It may be used along banks, slopes, borders, beds, and in cottage gardens. The mottled and spotted leaves of green and silver will add interest all year round plus the bonus of dark blue to purple or pink flowers in the spring.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Spring Foliage: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter (warm climates)
Quick ID Hints:
- semi-evergreen, low growing, clumping perennial
- narrow basal leaves up to 12 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide forming a dense clump
- leaves dark green and mottled with silver or white
- sparse cauline leaves along the stem
- clusters of funnel-shaped flowers of pink, blue, or purple in the spring
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Narrow-leaf lungwort has no serious pests and diseases. Slugs may be an occasional problem. Powdery mildew can occur in dry conditions. In poorly drained soils, root rot can develop. The leaves will scorch or wilt in extremely hot weather or full sun.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Ankum' cultivar
blue to mauve flowers and green leaves with silver spots - 'Bertram Anderson' cultivar
Bright blue flowers and deep green leaves spotted with silver - 'Diana Clare' hybrid
Blue flowers transition to pink, leaves speckled with silver - 'Dordogne' cultivar
Violet flowers and dark green leaves with white spots - Magic Flower
- 'Raspberry Splash' hybrid
Pink flowers and green foliage mottled with silver - 'Roy Davidson' hybrid
Light blue flowers fading to pink - 'Trevi Fountain' hybrid
Cobalt blue flowers and green leaves spotted with silvery white
- 'Ankum' cultivar
- 'Ankum' cultivar, 'Bertram Anderson' cultivar, 'Diana Clare' hybrid, 'Dordogne' cultivar, Magic Flower, 'Raspberry Splash' hybrid, 'Roy Davidson' hybrid, 'Trevi Fountain' hybrid
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Ankum' cultivar
blue to mauve flowers and green leaves with silver spots - 'Bertram Anderson' cultivar
Bright blue flowers and deep green leaves spotted with silver - 'Diana Clare' hybrid
Blue flowers transition to pink, leaves speckled with silver - 'Dordogne' cultivar
Violet flowers and dark green leaves with white spots - Magic Flower
- 'Raspberry Splash' hybrid
Pink flowers and green foliage mottled with silver - 'Roy Davidson' hybrid
Light blue flowers fading to pink - 'Trevi Fountain' hybrid
Cobalt blue flowers and green leaves spotted with silvery white
- 'Ankum' cultivar
- 'Ankum' cultivar, 'Bertram Anderson' cultivar, 'Diana Clare' hybrid, 'Dordogne' cultivar, Magic Flower, 'Raspberry Splash' hybrid, 'Roy Davidson' hybrid, 'Trevi Fountain' hybrid
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pulmonaria
- Species:
- longifolia
- Family:
- Boraginaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- In the 16 and 17th century, the plant was used for the treatment of lung diseases.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Western Europe
- Distribution:
- Native: France, Great Britain, Portugal, and Spain
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts hummingbirds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Colorful
- Defines Paths
- Shade
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Mounding
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers appear in clusters from April to May. Each flower is funnel-shaped and about 1 inch long. They bloom in shades of purple to blue. Some cultivars varying shades of pink, blue, or purple.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves fuzzy, dark green, and mottled with blotches of white or silver. The basal leaves are narrow, up to 12 inches long, and 1 to 2 inches wide. The cauline leaves are ovate to oblong, smaller, measuring up to 6 inches long, and appear sparsely along the stem.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Meadow
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Heat
- Heavy Shade