Lungwort Pulmonaria 'Majesté'
ABOUT
Pulmonaria 'Majesté', commonly known as Lungwort, is a herbaceous perennial that is valued for its ornamental foliage and charming flowers. This plant features striking leaves that are a true standout in any garden with their unique texture and color. The leaves of Lungwort 'Majesté' are oval to lance-shaped with a rough, hairy surface. The foliage is particularly noteworthy for its silver sheen, lending the plant a shimmering appearance. The silver coloration is often marked with spots or splashes of green, creating a mottled effect that can vary from leaf to leaf. This variegation can be quite bold, capturing the eye and providing a luminous quality even in shady corners of a garden space. Adding to its appeal, Lungwort 'Majesté' produces clusters of delicate flowers in the springtime. The blooms exhibit a fascinating color change as they mature, starting off pink and gradually transitioning to a lovely shade of blue. This color transformation adds a dynamic aspect to the display and can give the impression of the plant having multicolored flowers at the same time. The flowers are bell-shaped and dangle prettily from stems that rise above the foliage, attracting pollinators such as bees to the garden. Overall, Pulmonaria 'Majesté' presents a delightful combination of luminous foliage and enchanting blooms which offer both textural and visual interest throughout the growing season.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Boraginaceae
Synonyms
Lungwort, Bethlehem Sage
Common names
Pulmonaria saccharata 'Majeste'.
ToxicityTo humans
Pulmonaria 'Majesté', also known as Lungwort, is not known to be toxic to humans. Therefore, ingestion typically does not result in poisoning or adverse health effects. However, as with any plant, individual allergies or sensitivities could cause reactions in some people.
To pets
Lungwort is not listed as a toxic plant to pets such as cats and dogs. In general, it should not cause any symptoms of poisoning if ingested. However, gastrointestinal upset is a common response in pets when they consume plant material they are not used to, regardless of the plant's toxicity.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-deciduous
Color of leaves
Variegated
Flower color
Mixed
Height
1 foot (30 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Pulmonaria 'Majesté', commonly known as Lungwort, is popular for attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to the garden.
- Shade Tolerant: Lungwort is well-suited for shaded areas where other plants might struggle to thrive, adding color and life to darker spots.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, Lungwort is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal upkeep besides occasional watering and tidying of dead foliage.
- Early Blooms: Lungwort offers early spring blooms, providing an early source of nectar and adding color to the garden at a time when few other plants are flowering.
- Drought Resistant: This plant is quite resilient once established and can tolerate periods of dryness, making it a good choice for gardens with less consistent watering.
- Deer Resistant: Lungwort is not a favorite of deer, so it's less likely to be damaged by grazing in areas where deer are common.
- Ground Cover: With its spreading habit, Lungwort serves as an excellent ground cover, reducing weed growth and helping to stabilize soil.
- Ornamental Foliage: Lungwort 'Majesté' has attractive foliage with silver-spotted leaves that provide visual interest even when the plant is not in bloom.
- Seasonal Interest: The plant has a long blooming period from late winter through spring, followed by decorative foliage that provides interest throughout the growing season.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Lungwort 'Majesté' can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, providing a range of colors from green to brown depending on the mordant used.
- This plant serves as an early nectar source for bees and beneficial insects, which help to pollinate other plants in the garden.
- Lungwort 'Majesté' leaves can be incorporated into compost as they are rich in nitrogen and improve the quality of the compost.
- The plant can be used in a moon garden, as its silvery-spotted foliage reflects moonlight, creating a luminous effect at night.
- With its dense foliage, Lungwort 'Majesté' can be planted to prevent soil erosion on shady slopes or areas prone to runoff.
- The colorful leaves can be used in art projects, such as leaf pressing or botanical prints.
- Lungwort 'Majesté' can function as a living mulch, covering the soil and reducing the growth of weeds in the garden.
- Gardeners may choose to plant Lungwort 'Majesté' in bare spots under trees where other plants struggle to thrive, as it tolerates dry shade once established.
- It can be used in sensory gardens for its unique texture; the hairy leaves can add an interesting tactile experience for visitors.
- The plant's colorful blossoms and foliage make it a lovely candidate for creating natural table arrangements or garnishes for serving dishes.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Lungwort is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Lungwort is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience and Tenacity: Pulmonaria, commonly known as Lungwort, often grows in challenging conditions, symbolizing the ability to overcome adversity.
- Healing: Historically, lungwort was used in herbal medicine with the belief that it could treat lung diseases, thus representing healing and therapeutic properties.
- New Beginnings: The early spring bloom of lungwort signifies renewal and the start of new ventures or phases in life.
- Honesty: Lungwort's unpretentious and simple flowers are often associated with truthfulness and straightforwardness.
- Balance: The varying flower colors of lungwort as they age, often seen as a harmony between youth and age, suggest life balance.
WaterLungwort or Pulmonaria 'Majesté' prefers consistently moist soil, so it's important to water it regularly. During the growing season, water the plant once a week with about 1 gallon of water, adjusting for rainfall. In hotter, dryer periods, you may need to water twice a week to maintain moisture. During the winter, reduce watering as the plant requires less moisture when dormant. Always ensure that the soil is not waterlogged, as this can lead to root rot.
LightLungwort thrives in partial to full shade conditions. The ideal spot would be under the canopy of deciduous trees, where it can receive dappled sunlight. Direct afternoon sunlight should be avoided, as it can scorch the leaves. Morning light or filtered sunlight promotes healthy growth without causing stress to the plant.
TemperatureLungwort prefers cooler temperatures and fares well in a temperature range between 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive minimum temperatures down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but it's important to provide mulch for protection during cold winters. This plant does not tolerate extreme heat well, so during the summer it is crucial to keep it shaded and cool.
PruningPruning Lungwort helps maintain its appearance by removing spent flower stalks and promoting new leaf growth. Prune after flowering by cutting back the flower stalks to the base of the plant. Additionally, any damaged or old leaves can be trimmed away to encourage fresh foliage. Pruning is typically needed once a year, immediately after the bloom period in late spring or early summer.
CleaningAs needed
SoilLungwort 'Majesté' requires well-draining, moist soil with high organic matter content. A mix of loam, peat, and coarse sand is ideal. Aim for a soil pH slightly acidic to neutral, around 6.0 to 7.0 for optimal growth.
RepottingLungwort 'Majesté' doesn't require frequent repotting and can be done every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its current pot. Spring is the best time for repotting this plant to allow for growth during the growing season.
Humidity & MistingLungwort 'Majesté' thrives best in moderate to high humidity conditions. Aim for a humidity level of around 50% for optimal growth, but it can tolerate a range of moisture levels as long as the soil remains moist but not waterlogged.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in shade, keep soil moist, and ensure high humidity.
Outdoor
Partial shade, moist soil, mulch, shelter from wind.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA
Life cyclePulmonaria 'Majesté', commonly known as Lungwort, begins its life as a seed, which upon germination in favorable conditions, sprouts into a seedling. This seedling then develops into a vegetative plant that establishes a rosette of hairy, silver-spotted leaves. In the spring, the plant produces clusters of bell-shaped flowers that transition in color from pink to violet-blue as they mature. After the flowering period, Lungwort sets seed which can be dispersed to produce new plants. In the following seasons, the plant enters a period of dormancy during winter, only for the foliage to die back and then re-emerge the following spring. Lungwort is a perennial, which means it can live and undergo this cycle for several years.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-early summer
Propogation: The most popular method of propagating Lungwort 'Majesté' is by division, which is typically done in either the spring or the fall. This involves carefully digging up the plant, using a sharp spade or knife to split the root ball into smaller sections, ensuring that each section has a part of the root system and several shoots. These divisions should then be replanted at the same depth they were growing previously, spaced about 12 inches (approximately 30 centimeters) apart to allow for growth. It is important to water them well after planting to encourage the roots to establish in their new location. This straightforward approach is favored due to its high success rate and the speed with which new plants can reach a substantial size.
