Pulmonaria rubra - Lungwort

Pulmonaria rubra, also known as red lungwort, boasts an early flowering of small bouquets of vibrant coral-red funnel-shaped flowers, perfectly highlighted by a carpet of evergreen leaves, devoid of spots, with a matte appearance. This lungwort forms a fabulous perennial and hardy ground cover, ideal for ornamenting shady beds with a splash of colour. This plant often precedes primroses and violets and is undoubtedly one of the first signs of spring.

Red lungwort is a fully hardy herbaceous perennial plant, belonging to the same family as borage and brunnera, the Boraginaceae family. It is a botanical species native to the Balkans, closely related to Pulmonaria officinalis widespread in cool woodlands.

Red lungwort attracts attention with its early flowering of an unusual colour, which starts as early as February-March and continues until May. This rhizomatous plant forms a 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in) tall flowering carpet and spreads laterally without a theoretical limit. The leaves are very hairy and thick. Those at the base are 40 to 60cm (16 to 24in) long, triangular, lanceolate, pointed at the top and rounded at the base, while those on the flowering stems are alternate, elongated, and without petioles. Their colour is a bright medium green, completely devoid of spots or marbling. From February onwards, angular, branching stems covered with coarse hairs emerge just above the foliage. They bear pendulous cymes of tubular flowers, 5 to 10mm (0.4in) wide, variegated with salmon-pink and coral-red, which turn reddish-purple before fading. The creeping rhizome of lungworts produces new tufts of leaves after flowering, expanding the colony.

Perennial and completely hardy, this lungwort finds its main use as a ground cover. In winter, in well-protected areas, its foliage is often evergreen. It will quickly add a colourful touch to depleted soil under trees, bushes, along facades, north or east-facing paths, and at the base of sunless walls. This plant is a godsend in cool climates, where few plants are willing to grow, such as Symphytum caucasicum and the large periwinkle. It nicely fills in shady beds and even manages to grow under conifers. Plant some spring bulbs that will bloom here and there alongside your lungwort. Also, consider mixing your bed with ground covers that flower later, such as perennial Geranium nodosum.