Lungwort (Pulmonaria 'Berries and Cream')

Overview

Pulmonaria ‘Berries and Cream’ is a standout herbaceous perennial highly valued for its textural, year-round visual interest in deep shade locations. This selection of Lungwort creates excellent basal clumps featuring large, ruffle-edged leaves heavily splotched with distinctive silver markings. While the flowers are attractive, the primary appeal of this variety lies in its striking, resilient foliage, making it a staple where few other plants thrive.

Flowering occurs reliably in early spring, displaying delicate, funnel-shaped blooms described as raspberry pink, providing crucial early season color before summer perennials awaken. Belonging to the Boraginaceae family, Pulmonaria ‘Berries and Cream’ is relatively undemanding once established, fitting seamlessly into woodland garden designs or shady borders. Its ability to spread slowly via creeping roots allows it to naturally form effective groundcover colonies over time.

Gardeners appreciate Lungwort for its low maintenance requirements and its exceptional performance in challenging shady, moist sites. This variety offers proven structural interest, ensuring that even the darkest corners of the landscape retain definition and appeal throughout the growing season.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Boraginaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 0.75-1 ft
  • Spread: 1-1.5 ft
• Bloom Time: April to May
• Bloom Description: Raspberry pink
• Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Plant Pulmonaria ‘Berries and Cream’ during the cooler seasons, such as spring or fall, ensuring it settles in before summer heat arrives. The ideal location provides partial to full shade, protected from intense afternoon sun which can cause foliage scorch. This Lungwort demands consistently moist, average soil that is well-drained. When amending the site, incorporate ample organic matter to create the cool, humusy environment that this perennial prefers.

Maintain medium moisture levels throughout the growing season; do not let the soil dry out completely. Drying soil, particularly during summer heat, can cause the plant to go dormant or severely depreciate the quality of the foliage, especially in warmer climates like St. Louis summers. Fertilization is generally unnecessary if the soil is organically rich. After the spring bloom concludes, promptly remove the spent flower stems to encourage continued tidy growth.

As the plants spread slowly via creeping roots, division becomes necessary every few years to prevent overcrowding and maintain vigor. Divide these clumps in the fall. In milder winter regions, the foliage of Pulmonaria ‘Berries and Cream’ may retain its appealing color, providing winter structure where deciduous plants have died back.

Landscape Uses

Pulmonaria ‘Berries and Cream’ excels as a vibrant foliage plant specifically designed for shaded expanses. Its primary strength lies in mass plantings, where the silvery, spotted leaves create a moving tapestry of light beneath taller trees or structures. Utilize this Lungwort to establish strong groundcover coverage, suppressing weeds while providing consistent texture.

This perennial fits perfectly into woodland garden schemes, shaded rock gardens, or along the edges of northern-facing borders. It also functions superbly as an edging plant along shady pathways, clearly defining walkways while staying compact enough not to sprawl over the path. Consider pairing Pulmonaria ‘Berries and Cream’ with other shade lovers that contrast in texture or flower color, such as deep green Hostas or Hellebores.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Pulmonaria is a genus of about 17 species of deciduous or evergreen herbaceous perennials from Europe and Asia. Lungworts are shade plants that, like many of the hostas, are often valued more for their attractive foliage than for their spring flowers. Genus name comes from the Latin pulmo meaning lung. ‘Berries and Cream’ features mostly basal clumps of large, ruffle-edged, silvery leaves splotched with green and drooping clusters (terminal cymes) of funnel-shaped, raspberry-pink flowers which bloom in early spring.

Tolerances

• Deer
• Heavy Shade
• Black Walnut

Potential Problems

Pulmonaria ‘Berries and Cream’ generally exhibits low pest and disease pressure, though vigilance is required for key issues. Slugs and snails may occasionally target the leaves, requiring standard preventative management like barriers or baits. A more significant threat, particularly when cultural needs are neglected, is powdery mildew; this often develops if the air circulation is poor or if the soil dries out during the summer months. To mitigate leaf scorching and mildew, ensure the plant receives consistent moisture and avoids direct, hot afternoon sun exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Lungwort suitable for?

Pulmonaria ‘Berries and Cream’ is hardy across a wide range, performing well in USDA Zones 3 through 8.

How large does Pulmonaria ‘Berries and Cream’ grow?

This variety typically achieves a short height between 0.75 to 1 foot tall, spreading slightly wider at 1 to 1.5 feet wide when mature.

What sun exposure does Lungwort need?

This plant thrives best in part shade to full shade; ensure it receives afternoon shade, as direct, hot sunlight can easily scorch the attractive foliage.

When does Lungwort bloom?

This Lungwort displays its raspberry pink flowers reliably from April through May, offering early spring color.

Conclusion

Pulmonaria ‘Berries and Cream’ offers exceptional value to the shade gardener by delivering reliable texture and early spring blossoms with very low effort. The distinctive silvery foliage of this Lungwort ensures visual appeal even outside the blooming window. Before planting, confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 3-8 and commit to providing its required medium moisture to keep your Pulmonaria ‘Berries and Cream’ looking its best.

Companion Planting

Given the demanding moisture and shade requirements of Pulmonaria ‘Berries and Cream’, pairing it with other woodland natives that share these needs creates a harmonious, low-maintenance grouping. Look for plants with contrasting leaf forms, such as ferns like Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum) or large-leafed Hosta varieties that offer solid green or yellow tones instead of silver. Anemones and bleeding hearts (Dicentra) also bloom around the same time, providing lovely color accents near your Lungwort clumps.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Spring is when Pulmonaria ‘Berries and Cream’ truly awakens; remove any faded foliage from the previous winter to encourage fresh leaf emergence and promptly deadhead spent flowers after the raspberry pink bloom fades. Summer care primarily revolves around irrigation; ensure consistent watering to prevent summertime dormancy or leaf scorch, especially during dry spells. Minor cleanup in fall involves cutting back tattered leaves if they have deteriorated due to summer heat stress, preparing the slow-spreading clumps for winter dormancy, though the foliage may persist slightly in milder regions.