Pulmonaria is a beautiful ground cover plant and effecting weed suppressant once established. It’s a great choice for shady areas and needs a moist but well-drained soil to thrive. Pulmonaria is very low maintenance and will gradually spread and naturalise over time, providing ground cover with its attractive leaves through spring and summer along with dainty, pollinator friendly blooms in spring.

How to plant

• Plant Pulmonaria bare roots in spring between February and May, ideally within a week of delivery.
  
• Soak the roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting. Pot into temporary 2 litre (or 15-20cm diameter) pots, using a good quality multi-purpose compost.
  
• Plant with the roots submerged and with the top of the root system with buds just level with the soil surface. Any shoots or leaves which have emerged already should be left exposed above the soil surface.
  
• Grow them on in a sheltered area outside. They can be transplanted into suitable growing positions after 2-4 months or once growth is established and the plants easily come out of the temporary pots with the soil held together by the roots.
  
• When planting into the garden, choose a position in a border in full shade or partial/dappled shade and a rich, moist soil. Ensure the area is dug over and cleared of weeds first.
  
• Keep space clear around the young plant and ensure neighbouring plants or weeds are not overcrowding it.
  
• Pulmonaria is fully hardy to around -15C and does not require winter protection in most areas.
  
• Water-in after planting and keep hydrated when in growth, particularly during the first year.

Aftercare

• New growth emerges within around a month of planting.
  
• Pulmonaria fully dies back in autumn, at which point you can cut all leaves and stems back to around 3cm above soil level. New leaves will emerge the following spring.
  
• Pulmonaria is a spreading perennial and over time will form dense clumps and multiply. Where needed, you can divide clumps or dig out unwanted clumps during autumn, winter or early spring.
  
• Pulmonaria should be planted at a spacing of at least 20cm between plants and typically take 1-2 years to establish. They may flower lightly or not at all in their first season.