Lungwort Pulmonaria 'Ice Ballet' (Classic Series)
ABOUT
Pulmonaria 'Ice Ballet', commonly known as Lungwort, is a perennial plant that is cherished for its striking foliage and delicate flowers. It showcases a clump-forming habit with leaves that are a distinctive feature; they are dark green with a unique, silver-spotted pattern that creates a beautiful contrast in the garden. The blossoms of the Lungwort 'Ice Ballet' are equally alluring. They emerge in clusters atop slender, upright stems that gracefully rise above the foliage. The flowers are funnel-shaped and boast a captivating color transformation. They often start with pink buds, which then bloom into a pristine white, creating the illusion of a ballet of flowers dancing in the breeze. This charming plant enjoys shady spots in the garden, where it adds a pop of brightness with its variegated leaves. The contrasting textures and colors of its leaves and flowers make it a favorite among gardeners looking to add visual interest to their shade gardens.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Boraginaceae.
Synonyms
Lungwort, Bethlehem Sage.
Common names
Pulmonaria 'Ice Ballet'
ToxicityTo humans
Lungwort is not widely known for being toxic to humans. There are no widely recognized severe effects associated with ingesting it. However, as with many plants, sensitive individuals may experience mild stomach upset if large quantities are ingested. It's generally advisable to avoid consuming any plant unless it's known to be safe and is meant for culinary use.
To pets
Lungwort is not known to be toxic to pets. It's not included on the common lists of plants that are known to cause problems for cats or dogs if ingested. However, to be safe, pet owners should prevent their pets from eating plants indiscriminately, as even non-toxic plants can cause vomiting or gastrointestinal upset in animals when they are not a normal part of their diet.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-deciduous
Color of leaves
Variegated
Flower color
White
Height
1 foot (30 cm)
Spread
1 foot 6 inches (45 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Provides nectar sources for bees and other beneficial insects, which are essential for pollination.
- Low Maintenance: Known to require minimal care once established, making it ideal for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Shade Tolerance: Thrives in shaded areas where other plants might struggle, offering design flexibility in landscaping.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, it can tolerate periods of dryness, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Early Blooming: One of the first perennials to bloom in spring, bringing early color and life to gardens after winter.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Features attractive foliage with silver-spotted leaves that provide visual interest even when not in flower.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers a range of colors with its flowers and foliage that can change through the seasons.
- Deer Resistant: Less palatable to deer, which helps prevent damage to the plant in areas where deer are a problem.
- Ground Cover: Can be used to cover bare spots in the garden, reducing weed growth by limiting the space available for weeds to establish.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Lungwort 'Ice Ballet' can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, producing a variety of colors depending on the mordant used.
- This plant serves as an indicator of soil pH; its preferred slightly acidic to neutral soil can help gardeners assess their soil conditions.
- Lungwort 'Ice Ballet' leaves can be added to compost piles as a source of nitrogen and minerals to aid in the composting process.
- The plant's ability to thrive in partial shade makes it an ideal candidate for living walls and green roof systems in temperate climates.
- It's used in educational settings such as schools and botanical gardens to teach about plant respiration and photosynthesis due to its distinctive leaf patterns that resemble lung tissue.
- Lungwort 'Ice Ballet' can be used in cut flower arrangements to provide a unique texture and form, although its leaves are more commonly featured than its flowers.
- In eco-friendly landscape designs, this variety is utilized for its drought resistance once established, aiding water conservation efforts.
- Gardeners may use Lungwort 'Ice Ballet' to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which are essential for garden biodiversity.
- The plant has been featured in art and photography projects for its ornamental qualities, including the patterned leaves and delicate flowers.
- Used as a ground cover, Lungwort 'Ice Ballet' can help prevent soil erosion in sloped garden areas due to its mat-forming habit.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Lungwort is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Lungwort is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Hope: Similar to many other spring-blooming plants, the Pulmonaria or Lungwort symbolizes hope as it is one of the early bloomers, emerging at the end of winter to signal the coming of spring.
- Health: Historically, the plant's leaf patterns resembling lung tissue have led to its association with respiratory health, reflecting the 'Doctrine of Signatures' which implied that herbs resembling body parts could be used to treat ailments of those organs.
- Longevity: Resilience and the ability to thrive in shady conditions may contribute to the symbolic meaning of longevity, as the Lungwort endures and grows over many years.
WaterThe Lungwort 'Ice Ballet' should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Depending on your climate and the time of year, this could be approximately once a week, but always check the soil moisture level before watering. Provide substantial moisture, using about 1 gallon of water per plant to ensure it reaches the roots. During the hotter summer months or in dryer climates, you may need to water more frequently. It is important to avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of foliar diseases; instead, water directly at the base of the plant.
LightLungwort 'Ice Ballet' prefers a partially shaded spot in the garden, ideally receiving morning light with protection from the harsh afternoon sun. The best lighting conditions mimic the dappled sunlight of a forest understory. Ensure that it is placed where it can receive this indirect, but bright light to thrive.
TemperatureLungwort 'Ice Ballet' can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but grows best between 65°F and 75°F. It can withstand minimum temperatures down to around 30°F and maximum temperatures up to 85°F. However, it is important to protect the plant from extreme heat and cold to maintain its health and vitality.
PruningPruning Lungwort 'Ice Ballet' helps maintain its shape and encourages new growth. Prune old or damaged leaves after flowering or in early spring to rejuvenate the plant. It is only necessary to prune annually, or as needed to remove any unsightly foliage.
CleaningAs needed
SoilLungwort 'Ice Ballet' prefers well-drained, rich soil high in organic matter with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A mix containing peat moss, compost, and perlite would provide ideal conditions for this plant.
RepottingLungwort 'Ice Ballet' does not need frequent repotting; it's best to repot only when the plant has outgrown its current container, typically every 2-3 years.
Humidity & MistingLungwort 'Ice Ballet' thrives in moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 50% and 70%, which supports its lush foliage and delicate flowers.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light, ensure high humidity.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, moist, well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleLungwort 'Ice Ballet' begins its life cycle when seeds germinate, typically in spring, under cool, moist conditions. The seedlings soon develop into rosettes of green foliage mottled with silver or white markings, and as the plant matures, it forms a clump with a deep root system. In early to mid-spring, the adult plant sends up flowering stalks that bear clusters of bell-shaped flowers that often open pink and turn blue as they mature. After flowering, the plant sets seed, which can be dispersed to produce new plants. During the summer, Lungwort 'Ice Ballet' enters a period of vegetative growth, where it continues to expand its foliage. As a perennial, the plant will die back to the ground in winter, entering a period of dormancy, before reemerging the following spring to repeat the cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Early spring
Propogation: Pulmonaria 'Ice Ballet', commonly known as Lungwort, is typically propagated by division in the spring or fall. The most popular method involves carefully digging up an existing clump of the plant and gently pulling or cutting it apart into smaller sections, each with a portion of the root system and several shoots. These individual divisions should then be replanted immediately, spaced about a foot (30 cm) apart, to allow sufficient room for growth. It's important to keep the newly planted divisions well-watered until they are established. This method of propagation is quick and ensures that the new plants are true to the parent in terms of their varietal characteristics.
