Lungwort (Pulmonaria 'May Bouquet')
Pulmonaria 'May Bouquet' Lungwort is a low-maintenance perennial valued for silver-spotted foliage and early red-purple spring blooms in shade.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Pulmonaria ‘May Bouquet’ is a highly attractive herbaceous perennial, prized primarily for its striking, silver-spotted foliage that brightens even the deepest shaded garden corners. Known commonly as Lungwort, this variety offers reliable early spring color when few other plants are active, featuring funnel-shaped, red-purple flowers held just above the basal clump. Belonging to the Boraginaceae family, Pulmonaria ‘May Bouquet’ is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking low maintenance ground cover that thrives where sun exposure is limited.
Its mounding habit makes it an ideal textural element, reaching about 1 foot tall and spreading slowly via creeping roots. The genus name, Pulmonaria, reflects its historical association with lung-related remedies, though modern gardeners appreciate its ornamental qualities far more than medieval herbal uses. This specific cultivar provides reliable performance across USDA Zones 4 through 9, establishing itself as a dependable shade garden staple.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Boraginaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.75-1 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: April
- Bloom Description: Red-purple
- Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Establish Pulmonaria ‘May Bouquet’ in the spring or fall if possible, selecting a location that provides part shade to full shade conditions. This Lungwort performs best in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soils that are rich in organic matter, often requiring humusy soil for peak health. Consistency in moisture is key; the soil must not be allowed to completely dry out, especially during the summer months, as drastic dryness can cause dormancy or significant leaf scorch, particularly if the plant receives too much afternoon sun.
Water regularly to maintain even soil moisture, fulfilling its medium water needs. Fertilizing is usually unnecessary if the planting site is rich in compost. As the flowers fade, remove the spent flower stems immediately after bloom to encourage the foliage to remain tidy.
If an exceptionally hot summer causes the foliage of your Pulmonaria ‘May Bouquet’ to depreciate, understanding that it will likely recover is important. Divide plants in fall if they become overly crowded, as this slow-spreading perennial benefits from occasional division to maintain vigor.
Landscape Uses
Pulmonaria ‘May Bouquet’ excels as a foundational planting for shady borders and woodland garden settings. Its role as an excellent foliage plant for shady areas makes it a perfect mass planting beneath deciduous trees where dappled light prevails. When grouped or massed, it functions superbly as a ground cover, effectively suppressing weeds and providing consistent texture throughout the growing season.
Consider using this Lungwort as an edging plant along meandering shady paths, where its silver-spotted leaves offer contrast against darker mulch or stone. While the spring flowers are attractive, the silver patterning on the leaves of Pulmonaria ‘May Bouquet’ is the lasting feature, pairing well with hostas that share similar moisture and shade requirements.
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. The cultivar ‘May Bouquet’ is a mounding variety that features silvery leaves and distinct red-purple flowers, typically growing to 10” tall and spreading to 20” wide with lance-shaped, silver-spotted leaves.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
Lungwort generally has no serious pest or disease issues, making the maintenance level low. However, slugs and snails can occasionally target the leaves. Powdery mildew poses a greater risk to certain Lungwort varieties, often developing if the soil is allowed to dry out during the summer heat, causing leaf depreciation or scorching from excessive sun exposure. Fortunately, Pulmonaria ‘May Bouquet’ is specifically noted for reportedly having good resistance to powdery mildew, though maintaining consistent moisture remains the best preventative measure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Lungwort suitable for?
Pulmonaria ‘May Bouquet’ is hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 9.
How large does Lungwort grow?
This variety typically reaches a height between 0.75 and 1 foot tall, with a spread of 1 to 1.5 feet wide.
When does Pulmonaria ‘May Bouquet’ bloom?
This plant blooms in April, presenting attractive red-purple flowers early in the spring season.
What sun exposure does Lungwort need?
Pulmonaria ‘May Bouquet’ prefers part shade to full shade, needing protection from intense afternoon sunlight.
Conclusion
Pulmonaria ‘May Bouquet’ is a treasured low-maintenance plant, delivering indispensable silvery foliage interest and charming red-purple flowers in the spring shade garden. Its superior performance in heavy shade and established disease resistance underscore why Lungwort remains a popular ground cover choice. Ensure you check your local USDA zone compatibility before planning your spring planting of this resilient perennial.
Companion Planting
Choosing appropriate neighbors ensures that Pulmonaria ‘May Bouquet’ remains vibrant throughout the season. Companion plants should share the similar needs for rich, moist soil and protection from harsh sun. Excellent partners include Hosta varieties with chartreuse or blue foliage, which provide textural contrast both in leaf shape and color against the silver spots of the Lungwort. Similarly, Ferns, especially Japanese Painted Ferns or other shade-loving woodland natives, pair beautifully, reinforcing the cool, damp aesthetic that this plant prefers.
Propagation Tips
Pulmonaria ‘May Bouquet’ spreads reliably, though slowly, through its creeping roots, allowing for expansion across a woodland floor over time. The most effective means of increasing your stock or controlling its spread is through division. Plan to divide the clumps in the fall when the foliage starts to decline or in early spring before new major growth emerges. Gently dig up the clump and carefully divide the root ball into sections containing healthy roots and foliage crowns, ensuring each new piece has sufficient mass to establish quickly in its new location.
