Pulmonaria (Pulmonaria longifolia subsp. cevennensis)
Pulmonaria longifolia subsp. cevennensis is a low-growing perennial featuring outstanding silver-spotted foliage and dark violet-blue spring flowers.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Pulmonaria longifolia subsp. cevennensis, commonly known as Pulmonaria, is highly valued in gardens for its exceptional foliage, which features long, narrow leaves heavily mottled with striking silvery-white spots. This herbaceous perennial provides excellent year-round texture, especially when semi-evergreen in warmer climates. Although it flowers beautifully, its primary ornamental impact comes from its dense, clumping leaf mass.
This sun-shy perennial thrives under the canopy of trees or in deep shade, offering reliable performance where few other plants flourish. As Pulmonaria spreads slowly via creeping rootstocks, it forms a tidy yet effective groundcover, never becoming aggressive. The cultivar Pulmonaria longifolia subsp. Cevennensis is particularly noted for developing extremely long leaves, enhancing its value as a shade garden anchor species.
Gardeners appreciate this Pulmonaria for its low maintenance needs and adaptability to challenging spots, including areas where Black Walnut is present. Its resilience, coupled with the charming spring display of dark violet-blue flowers, makes it a staple for woodland designs or shaded borders, substituting beautifully for hostas.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Boraginaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: France
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 1.5-2.5 ft
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Bloom Description: Dark violet-blue
- Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Establish Pulmonaria longifolia subsp. cevennensis during the cooler periods—spring or fall—to allow it time to acclimate before summer heat arrives. This plant requires cool, humusy, organically rich soils that remain evenly moist but must drain exceptionally well. It prefers part shade but tolerates full shade, though absolute full sun should be avoided as the leaves scorch easily and wilt if soils dry out.
Maintain consistent moisture for your Pulmonaria. Soils must not be allowed to dry out, as this quickly leads to leaf damage. It cannot tolerate wet or poorly-drained conditions, which invite root rot. While it spreads slowly by creeping roots, it remains well-behaved and is not considered invasive.
Maintenance is generally low. If plants become too overcrowded, they can be divided in the fall. In warmer parts of its hardiness range (Zones 7-8), the foliage may remain partially green throughout winter. Pruning is rarely necessary outside of removing any compromised foliage in late winter before new growth begins.
Landscape Uses
This reliable Pulmonaria excels as a low-spreading groundcover, perfect for softening the edges of woodland walks or beneath high tree canopies where light is dappled. Grouping or massing plants creates the most significant visual impact, leveraging the dense, spotted foliage to create continuous texture throughout the season.
It works beautifully as an edging material along shaded paths or within rock gardens, providing contrast against finer-textured evergreens or ferns. Consider using Pulmonaria longifolia subsp. cevennensis as a unique substitute for hostas, especially in areas too dark or dry for some hosta cultivars. Its reliability in heavy shade makes it invaluable for foundation plantings near north-facing walls.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pulmonaria longifolia, commonly known as long-leafed lungwort, is a bristly pubescent, clumping but slowly spreading, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial of the borage family. It is most noted for its narrow, long-stalked, sharply-tipped, white-spotted, deep green basal leaves which typically grow to 12” long but to only 1-2” wide, forming a dense foliage clump which slowly spreads over time by creeping rootstocks to 24” wide. Leaves are mottled with striking gray-white spots or blotches. Sparsely-leaved flowering stems with ovate-oblong, short stalked to stalkless, cauline leaves (to 6” long) rise above the foliage clump to as much as 16-18” tall in early to mid spring (April-May) topped by nodding branched terminal cymes of funnel-shaped purple-blue flowers (to 1” long). The flower inflorescences of this species of lungwort do not elongate as they do on P. Saccharata. Flowers bloom simultaneous to or just before the leaves emerge. Flower clusters are often two-toned because the flowers emerge pink from pink buds but mature to blue. This plant serves as a classic ground cover for woodland and shade gardens. It is usually more valued for its narrow spotted leaves than for its spring flowers. It is native to Western Europe (Great Britain, France, Spain and Portugal). Subsp. Cevennensis is native to the Cevennes Mountains in southern France. It is noted for producing extremely long leaves (to 24”). Leaves are silver spotted and spring flowers are dark violet blue.Genus name comes from the Latin pulmo meaning lung. In accordance with the Doctrine of Signatures, lungwort was once believed by Medieval herbalists to be an effective remedy for treating lung diseases because the spotted plant leaves purportedly resembled diseased lungs. However, it is well established today that this is not a valid method in determining a plant’s medicinal properties.Specific epithet comes from Latin meaning long-leaved in reference to plant leaf size.Common name remains today as a description of the resemblance of the spotted plant leaves to a diseased lung.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
This Pulmonaria generally avoids serious insect or disease issues. However, gardeners should watch for occasional infestations of slugs and powdery mildew, especially in damp, stagnant air or when air circulation is poor.
The most common cosmetic issue involves the foliage, which can depreciate significantly in extremely hot weather or if exposed to too much direct sun, particularly if soil moisture levels drop. To manage this, ensure consistent watering during summer heat. Root rot is a risk only if the plant is situated in wet, poorly drained soils, making soil preparation crucial at planting time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Pulmonaria suitable for?
This versatile perennial is reliably cold-hardy across USDA Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
How large does Pulmonaria longifolia subsp. cevennensis grow?
When fully mature, expect this species to reach a height between 1 and 1.5 feet tall, spreading outward to occupy an area between 1.5 and 2.5 feet wide.
When does Pulmonaria bloom?
The flowers typically appear in the mid-to-late spring, blooming from April through May, displaying beautiful dark violet-blue coloration.
What sun exposure does Pulmonaria need?
Pulmonaria longifolia subsp. cevennensis performs best in part shade to full shade conditions, thriving away from intense afternoon light.
Conclusion
The striking silver-spotted foliage and dependable low stature make Pulmonaria longifolia subsp. cevennensis an indispensable plant for brightening deep shade gardens. Its low maintenance profile and tolerance for difficult spots, such as dry shade under trees like Black Walnut, increase its utility. Check your local USDA hardiness zone and amend your soil to ensure rich, well-drained conditions before planting this spring.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Pulmonaria, focus on plants that share its preference for moist, humus-rich soil and protection from strong sun. Ferns, such as Japanese Painted Fern or Autumn Fern, pair wonderfully, offering contrasting textures. Hellebores (Helleborus) are excellent early spring partners, flowering just before or concurrently with the lungwort.
For continuous color interest, use woodland groundcovers like Epimedium (Barrenwort) or small Hostas that tolerate deeper shade. Because Pulmonaria longifolia subsp. Cevennensis quickly forms a dense, low mat, it effectively suppresses weeds while complementing the vertical lines of taller shade-loving perennials like Astilbe or Tiarella (Foamflower).
Designing with Foliage
Since the foliage of Pulmonaria longifolia subsp. cevennensis is often considered its best feature, design strategies should emphasize contrast against neighboring plants. The sharp, long, silver-spotted leaves provide a strong visual counterpoint to the rounded or finely dissected leaves of woodland natives. Use this plant near borders where hardscape or light pathways can help the silver spotting pop in lower light levels.
In contemporary shade design, this Pulmonaria acts as a living mulch, maintaining a neat appearance where turf grass cannot grow. Its relatively slow spread means it can be reliably placed within defined beds without aggressive encroachment concerns, allowing careful placement near specimen shade shrubs or specimen hostas.
