Lungwort (Pulmonaria 'Silver Streamers')
Pulmonaria 'Silver Streamers' (Lungwort) offers striking silver foliage and clusters of multi-hued blue flowers, perfect for deep shade.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Pulmonaria ‘Silver Streamers’ is a highly valued herbaceous perennial celebrated primarily for its exceptional foliage, which often overshadows its delightful early spring blooms. This variety of Lungwort features ruffled, nearly pure silver leaves that provide essential brightness in deeply shaded garden areas throughout the season. As a low-maintenance ground cover, Pulmonaria ‘Silver Streamers’ stands as a reliable anchor in woodland settings.
Cultivating this shade-loving perennial is straightforward, provided its critical need for consistent moisture is met. The plant offers a unique aesthetic transition, beginning the season with charming, multi-hued blue flowers opening in April to May before settling into its primary role as a silver-foliaged specimen.
Gardeners rely on Lungwort for its ability to thrive where many other selections struggle, namely deep shade and under difficult conditions like Black Walnut root competition. The combination of striking, long-lasting foliage and early spring color makes Pulmonaria ‘Silver Streamers’ an indispensable component of shaded borders and ground covers.
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: Multi-hued blue
- Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Establish Pulmonaria ‘Silver Streamers’ in the spring or fall in average, well-drained soils that are rich in organic matter. The key to success with Lungwort is managing moisture; it requires medium, consistently moist soil and must not be allowed to dry out, especially during summer heat. While it tolerates afternoon shade, providing protection from harsh afternoon sun is crucial, as excessive heat or dryness will cause the foliage to scorch and depreciate considerably.
Watering is paramount; soils should be kept humusy and consistently moist throughout the growing season. Fertilization is generally unnecessary if the soil is organically rich. After the spring flowering finishes, remove the spent flower stems promptly. This plant spreads slowly via creeping roots, maintaining a neat clump structure.
If your Pulmonaria ‘Silver Streamers’ becomes overcrowded, it is best to divide the clumps in the autumn. Be mindful that in hot St. Louis-like summers, if conditions dry out, the plant may enter a brief period of summer dormancy—a sign that immediate watering attention is required to protect the unique foliage. Gardeners in warmer zones may note that the foliage retains some color even through mild winters.
Landscape Uses
The primary role of Pulmonaria ‘Silver Streamers’ in the landscape is to illuminate dark, shady spots where its reflective silver foliage catches dim light beautifully. It excels when massed together or planted in groups to create a shimmering ground cover effect across broad swaths of the woodland garden. Its compact size, reaching only about one foot high, makes it an excellent choice for shaded borders or as a clean edging along winding garden paths.
Lungwort creates strong visual contrast when paired with plants requiring similar shade but possessing deep green or variegated leaves, such as Hostas or Ferns. The early spring display of blue flowers acts as a welcome beacon for pollinators before many other reliable sources bloom. Use it effectively in shaded rock gardens where its low profile complements stone elements.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pulmonaria is valued more for its attractive foliage than its spring flowers, although the blooms of Pulmonaria ‘Silver Streamers’ are quite appealing. This variety features long, ruffled leaves covered in almost pure silver coloring. Its funnel-shaped, multi-hued blue flowers bloom in drooping clusters early in the spring season.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
This beautiful Lungwort variety generally shows no serious insect or disease issues, but vigilance against slugs and snails is sometimes necessary, as they may occasionally chew on the leaves. The most significant cultural issue is avoiding drought, as allowing the soil to dry out in summer can prompt leaf depreciation and scorching, largely due to sun exposure or heat stress. Implementing consistent watering practices will significantly mitigate the risk of powdery mildew, a common problem for some Lungwort cultivars under stressful, dry conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Lungwort suitable for?
Pulmonaria ‘Silver Streamers’ is reliably hardy across USDA Zones 3 through 8, offering wide adaptability for northern and central gardeners.
How large does Pulmonaria ‘Silver Streamers’ grow?
This perennial typically reaches 0.75 to 1 foot tall, spreading gently to occupy an area between 1 and 1.5 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Lungwort need?
For best performance, Pulmonaria ‘Silver Streamers’ requires part shade to full shade; afternoon shade is essential to protect its striking foliage from scorching.
When does Lungwort bloom?
This variety offers its display of multi-hued blue flowers from April to May, providing early season interest.
Conclusion
Pulmonaria ‘Silver Streamers’ is an outstanding choice for gardeners seeking reliable, low-maintenance texture and light reflection in deep shade gardens. Its beautiful foliage, often superior to its early spring blooms, ensures consistent garden appeal throughout the growing season. Before planting, confirm your site provides the consistent moisture and shady conditions that Lungwort demands, and enjoy the elegance this perennial brings to dark corners.
Companion Planting
Because Pulmonaria ‘Silver Streamers’ demands consistent moisture and rich soil, ideal companions are other shade enthusiasts with similar cultural needs. Consider pairing it with Hosta varieties that have darker green or blue foliage to maximize the contrast against the silver leaves of Lungwort. Astilbe and Tiarella (Foamflower) also thrive in the cool, humusy earth favored by Pulmonaria ‘Silver Streamers’, creating a lush, layered woodland effect.
Propagation Tips
The easiest way to increase your stock of Pulmonaria ‘Silver Streamers’ is through division. As the plant slowly spreads by creeping roots, clumps will eventually become too dense, usually every few years. The optimal time for this relatively simple process is in the fall after flowering has completed and temperatures begin to moderate. Carefully lift sections of the root mass, ensuring each division has viable foliage buds, and immediately replant them in their desired location to establish quickly.
