Lungwort (Pulmonaria 'Majesté')
Pulmonaria 'Majesté' (Lungwort) offers striking silvery foliage and early spring bluish-pink flowers. Low maintenance, shade loving perennial.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Pulmonaria ‘Majesté’, commonly known as Lungwort, is celebrated primarily for its outstanding foliage, which anchors shady garden spaces from early spring through fall. This herbaceous perennial creates beautiful basal clumps of large, ovate-lanceolate leaves heavily marked with silvery-gray contrasted by a narrow green edge. While valued for its dramatic leaf texture, the plant also rewards the gardener with clusters of delicate, bluish-pink, bell-shaped flowers that appear in mid-to-late spring.
The long history of Lungwort is tied to folklore, stemming from Medieval herbalists who named it based on the supposed resemblance of its spotted leaves to diseased lungs. Modern gardeners treasure Pulmonaria ‘Majesté’ for its reliability and its ability to thrive where little else will, particularly in dense shadow areas. It is an exceptionally low-maintenance choice, making it ideal for naturalizing or creating long-lasting ground cover displays.
This variety exhibits strong performance, often showing better resilience than older Lungwort types. Providing consistent moisture and afternoon shade ensures the foliage remains pristine throughout the growing season. For superior results in your woodland or shade garden, incorporate Pulmonaria ‘Majesté’ where its striking silver mounds can contrast against darker green neighbors.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Boraginaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-1 ft
- Spread: 0.75-2 ft
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Bloom Description: Bluish pink
- Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Pulmonaria ‘Majesté’ in the spring or fall, avoiding the intense heat of mid-summer. The ideal location offers consistent part shade, though it tolerates full shade better than most flowering perennials. Success hinges upon rich, well-drained soil amended heavily with organic matter, as Lungwort prefers cool, humusy conditions.
Keep the soil consistently moist; these plants absolutely do not tolerate drying out, especially during summer heat waves. Insufficient water can cause the foliage mound to depreciate quickly or even trigger summer dormancy. Fertilization is rarely necessary if the initial soil preparation included ample compost.
Pruning is minimal for Pulmonaria ‘Majesté’. Promptly remove flower stems after the blooming period concludes, which encourages tidier growth. If foliage declines due to excessive summer heat or sun scorch, a mid-season cutback can refresh the plant for cooler autumn conditions. Division should be performed in the fall if the plants become overcrowded, allowing for easy propagation.
Landscape Uses
Pulmonaria ‘Majesté’ excels as a textured, low-maintenance solution for deep shade. Its primary function is as an effective ground cover, where mass plantings naturally suppress weeds and define shady borders throughout the season. The plant layers beautifully beneath taller shrubs or deciduous trees, fitting perfectly into woodland garden designs.
Use this Lungwort variety as an edging element along shaded pathways where its bright, silvery foliage can catch ambient light. Because the spring flowers add early color, plant it near spring bulbs, allowing the perennial foliage to take over once the bulbs fade. The low-growing habit also makes it suitable for shaded rock gardens or integrated into mixed perennial beds requiring consistent green-to-silver contrast.
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. ‘Majesté’ stands out with its basal clumps of large, ovate-lanceolate, silvery-gray leaves featuring a very narrow green edging. Drooping clusters of bluish-pink, funnel-shaped flowers bloom briefly just above this impressive foliage mound in spring.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
Generally, Pulmonaria ‘Majesté’ is quite robust, though slugs and snails can occasionally target the tender new growth. The primary cultural issue for Lungwort is related to moisture stress; allowing the soil to dry out, especially in summer, can lead to leaf depreciation or scorching if the plant receives too much sun. While powdery mildew is a significant threat to many Pulmonaria cultivars, this specific variety, ‘Majesté’, reportedly possesses excellent resistance to fungal issues, provided cultural conditions remain optimal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Lungwort suitable for?
Pulmonaria ‘Majesté’ is reliably cold-tolerant, thriving in USDA Zones 3 through 8.
How tall does Pulmonaria ‘Majesté’ grow?
This plant maintains a low profile, typically reaching 0.5 to 1 foot in height, though it can spread outward to 2 feet wide over time.
When does Lungwort bloom?
The characteristic bluish-pink flowers of the Lungwort appear relatively early in the season, usually blooming from April right through May.
What sun exposure does Pulmonaria ‘Majesté’ need?
This shade perennial prefers part shade to full shade conditions; afternoon shade is crucial to prevent foliage scorch during hot weather.
Conclusion
Pulmonaria ‘Majesté’ delivers exceptional, year-round visual interest through its boldly patterned silver foliage, complemented by early spring blooms. As a low-maintenance ground cover exceptionally tolerant of deep shade and deer pressure, this Lungwort variety is a staple for difficult garden spots. Check your local USDA zone and plan to plant this beautiful perennial in rich, consistently moist soil this fall for best establishment.
Companion Planting
When selecting neighbors for your Pulmonaria ‘Majesté’, prioritize other shade-loving plants that share similar cultural needs for rich, moist, humusy soil. Hostas are classic companions, allowing you to layer textures where the broad, deep green leaves of the Hosta contrast beautifully with the silvery mounds of the Lungwort. Ferns, particularly Japanese Painted Ferns or Autumn Ferns, thrive in these conditions and provide delicate, airy textures beside the solid mounds of Pulmonaria.
Consider incorporating spring ephemeral bulbs like Snowdrops (Galanthus) or Daffodils (Narcissus that naturalize well) among the clumps. The bulbs offer brilliant, fleeting color before the foliage of the Pulmonaria fully matures, after which the robust leaves take over the ground plane coverage effectively. Ensure any companions do not aggressively crowd out the slow-spreading roots of the Lungwort.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring care focuses on tidying up any remaining winter-damaged foliage and deadheading spent flower scapes immediately after the bluish-pink blossoms fade in May. Apply a thin layer of compost around the basal clumps to replenish organic matter as temperatures rise. During dry stretches in summer, diligently monitor moisture levels, as Pulmonaria ‘Majesté’ requires consistent watering to prevent leaf crisping.
In the fall, this perennial is easily divided if you wish to spread the spectacular foliage to other shady areas of the garden. Overwintering is generally simple; the foliage may even retain some color in milder climates. If necessary, cut back the entire clump in early spring before new shoots emerge to maintain crisp, fresh appearances for the coming season.
