In proper conditions they can spread rapidly and can be divided in early spring or fall. When dividing lungworts, don't panic if the plants wilt soon after division. Simply replant them and provide water and they will perk up quickly.

How do you split pulmonaria?

To divide the pulmonaria, I lift it gently with a small border fork and lower into a box. Already it has grown in several directions, making new roots. In nature, such plants constantly seek fresh ground, moving away from the old woody centre. You can exploit this propensity when dividing them.

Is lungwort a ground cover?

In the dappled shade of woodlands (or under a tree in your garden), lungwort is an unobtrusive ground cover and will surprise you every spring with a burst of small blue, pink, or coral flowers.

How do you transplant lungwort?

Though they can be left undisturbed for years, lungworts can be propagated by dividing the clumps in late summer/early fall or after flowering in spring. Carefully dig up the entire clump and divide the clump into sections with a sharp knife. Each section should contain several leaves and a portion of the root system.

Will deer eat lungwort?

And because lungwort is covered in coarse hairs, deer tend to leave it alone. This shade-loving ground cover offers blue, pink, or white blooms.

Lifting and Dividing Lungwort, Pulmonaria officinalis

44 related questions found

Is lungwort good for lungs?

Be careful not to confuse lungwort with lungmoss. People take lungwort to treat breathing conditions, stomach and intestinal ailments, and kidney and urinary tract problems. Lungwort is also used in cough medicines, to relieve fluid retention, and to treat lung diseases such as tuberculosis.

Do bees like lungwort?

Pulmonaria officinalis is an excellent early-flowering nectar source for bees, and a perennial plant from the Boraginaceae family. ... It's loved by a variety of bumble bees in particular, but also hairy-footed flower bees.

Is lungwort poisonous to dogs?

The leaves, stems and blooms of lungworts contain several toxic chemicals, including saponins and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids and saponins are classified by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as toxic to both cats and dogs.

What can I plant with Pulmonaria?

Other good companions to pulmonaria include ornamental grasses such as carex and Hakone grass, who love hanging out in the shade, like lungwort. Lungwort is also been known to shine next to ferns, bleeding hearts, foam flowers, and hostas.

What to do with Pulmonaria after flowering?

When it has finished flowering I cut the leaves right back in June to encourage fresh new growth and discourage mildew. As well as 'Sissinghurst', P. officinalis 'Alba' and P. angustifolia 'Alba' are also excellent white forms.

Can you take cuttings from Pulmonaria?

When to cut back Pulmonaria

To tidy up the plant and discourage mildew cut back the old leaves whenever flowering is finished around April time. Cut off all the old tired leaves and then water well and the plant will reward with new growth and flowers next winter.

Can you transplant lungwort?

Lungwort plants grow in clumps and reach a height of about 12 inches (30.5 cm.). In proper conditions they can spread rapidly and can be divided in early spring or fall. When dividing lungworts, don't panic if the plants wilt soon after division. Simply replant them and provide water and they will perk up quickly.

How do you winterize lungwort?

When winter temperatures arrive and plant foliage has started to die back, the leaves of the plant should be removed using a pair sharp gardening shears. At this time, many growers also choose to cover the plant with a light layer of mulch to protect against harsh temperatures and to better regulate moisture.

Is lungwort the same as comfrey?

The word comfrey comes from the Latin word for "grow together". It is a member of the Boraginaceae family, which also include borage, forget-me-nots, lungwort, and brunnera. There are several varieties of comfrey and any can be used to make fertilizer.

Is pulmonaria related to comfrey?

Pulmonarias are members of the borage family, (Boraginaceae). Along with their cousins, comfrey, borage, brunnera, forget-me-nots and anchusa, pulmonarias have hairy leaves and small funnel-shaped flowers. The common name is lungwort – The name Pulmonaria comes from the Latin pulmo, the lung.

What flowers make the best honey?

Some of the plants that are most attractive to bees and produce high quality honey are the flowers of blackberries, fruit and citrus trees, herbs (like rosemary, borage and sage), flowering bushes, clover and other wild flowers and, in the case of Monte-Bellaria, lavender.

Is lungwort a diuretic?

Traditionally, lungwort has been used to treat lung and digestive problems, and as a diureticdiuretican agent that increases urine flow. It has also been applied to the skin to treat minor cuts and scrapes.

How do you make lungwort tea?

It is very easy to prepare lungwort tea: take 1 teaspoon of dried lungwort leaves, add 150 ml of boiling water and steep for 10-15 minutes. Then, strain, add some honey or lemon juice and enjoy your herbal tea!

Is common lungwort invasive?

Lungworts are clump-forming perennials that can be wide-spreading over time, but grow slowly and are not invasive or aggressive. The low-growing, rhizomatous nature of lungworts makes them good ground cover plants under small trees and shrubs.

What plants do deer hate the most?

Daffodils, foxgloves, and poppies are common flowers with a toxicity that deer avoid. Deer also tend to turn their noses up at fragrant plants with strong scents. Herbs such as sages, ornamental salvias, and lavender, as well as flowers like peonies and bearded irises, are just “stinky” to deer.

Are marigolds deer resistant?

All varieties of marigolds are a turnoff for deer because of their strong, pungent scent. However, signet marigolds (pictured) have a lighter citrusy smell and flavor, making them popular for culinary use. Learn more about growing marigolds.

Are lily of the valley poisonous?

Lily of the Valley contains 38 different cardenolides (cardiac glycosides) which irritate the gastrointestinal tract as well as disrupt the heart's normal activity. All parts of the plant are toxic, including the bulb, roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and berries.