Pulmonaria - Lungwort

 Pulmonaries or Pulmonaria are very invasive perennials but they make excellent low-maintenance ground covering plants. Their name comes from their pulmonary properties and the white spots on their leaves resembling those of lungs. These rhizomatous plants form very hardy clumps of oval or heart-shaped leaves covered in stiff hairs and funnel-shaped flowers that start off pink and then turn violet. They love well-worked, loose, moist and limestone soils in shady areas. Water generously in summer. When paired with spring bulbs (ornamental garlic, wood hyacinth, daffodil) they are stunning! Benefits: In herbal tea, they treat pulmonary inflammations. In cooking: The leaves are consumed raw in salads or steamed and seasoned.