Lungwort Pulmonaria 'Margery Fish'
ABOUT
Pulmonaria 'Margery Fish' is a charming perennial plant known for its striking foliage and delicate flowers. This variety is characterized by its hairy, lance-shaped leaves that create a dense clumping habit. The leaves are particularly noted for their silver spots and splotches, which stand out against a deep green background, giving them a unique and decorative appearance. During its blooming season, Pulmonaria 'Margery Fish' produces clusters of flowers that emerge from the leaf axils. The flowers are tubular-shaped and exhibit a fascinating color transformation as they mature. Initially, the blooms may begin with a shade of pink and then transition to a lovely violet-blue color, giving the plant a two-toned effect that adds to its overall appeal. The plant's bushy and mounded form, combined with its speckled foliage and eye-catching flowers, contribute to its popularity in garden settings where it's often used for ground cover, border edges, or as a component in shaded woodland gardens. Pulmonaria 'Margery Fish' is valued for its early spring blooms and the textural contrast it provides when planted among other garden plants.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Boraginaceae
Synonyms
Lungwort, Bethlehem Sage, Jerusalem Sage, Lady's Cowslip, Soldiers and Sailors
Common names
Pulmonaria 'Margery Fish'
ToxicityTo humans
Lungwort is generally not considered toxic to humans. There is not much information regarding its ingestion, but it is not known to cause poisoning or serious adverse health effects when touched or ingested in small quantities. However, as with any plant, individual allergies or reactions are possible.
To pets
Lungwort is not typically listed as toxic to pets. It should be safe in a garden that pets have access to, but as with any non-food plants, ingestion of large amounts can potentially cause gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, simply due to the fact that it is not part of a pet's normal diet.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-deciduous
Color of leaves
Variegated
Flower color
Pink
Height
1 foot [30 cm]
Spread
1 foot [30 cm]
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Shade Tolerance: Thrives in partially shaded areas, making it an ideal ground cover in woodland or shaded borders.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Offers early spring blooms with attractive silver-spotted leaves, adding variety and visual interest to the garden.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, it is quite drought-tolerant, requiring minimal watering.
- Pollinator Friendly: Flowers attract bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
- Low Maintenance: Requires little care beyond the occasional watering and trimming back post-flowering.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistant: Less palatable to deer and rabbits, which helps prevent browsing damage.
- Soil Adaptability: Adapts to a wide range of soil conditions, although it prefers moist, well-drained soil.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Pulmonaria 'Margery Fish', commonly known as Lungwort, can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, giving a range of colors from green to brown depending on the mordant used.
- The leaves of Lungwort can be incorporated into a compost pile, as they contain nutrients and minerals that assist in the composting process and enrich the soil.
- Lungwort can be used in a permaculture garden as ground cover to maintain soil moisture and prevent weed growth due to its dense foliage.
- The plant can be useful in teaching botanical concepts, such as leaf morphology and pigment changes, because of its spotted leaves that can change color based on light exposure.
- The patterns on the leaves of Lungwort can be used as inspiration for artists and designers, replicating the natural speckled design in textiles and prints.
- Lungwort can be utilized in sensory gardens for educational purposes allowing visitors to observe the tactile and visual variations of its leaves.
- The flowers of Lungwort can serve as a mild natural floral essence when steeped in water, to infuse baths or homemade cosmetics with a subtle fragrance.
- Lungwort can be used in landscape photography to add visual interest with its early spring blossoms and textured leaves against the backdrop of a woodland setting.
- The flowering of Lungwort provides a seasonal indicator for gardeners and farmers to track the onset of spring and adjust planting schedules accordingly.
- Finally, the natural habitats of Lungwort make it a useful case study for ecologists and conservationists studying forest understorey ecosystems and biodiversity.
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: Pulmonaria, commonly known as Lungwort, is often associated with hope, as its emergence in the early spring is a sign of the end of winter and the arrival of better times.
- Health and Healing: The plant's leaves were historically thought to resemble lungs and were used in folk medicine to treat respiratory conditions, symbolizing health and the healing process.
- Longevity: With its ability to thrive in shady areas and return year after year, Lungwort is symbolically linked to longevity and perseverance.
WaterThe common name for Pulmonaria 'Margery Fish' is lungwort, and it prefers consistently moist soil, especially during its growing season in spring and autumn. Be careful to water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry, which might be every few days during active growth and less often during cooler months. Using either a watering can or garden hose, water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to disease. It's hard to specify an exact amount due to varying conditions, but roughly one to two gallons per week should suffice, adjusted based on rainfall and temperature.
LightLungwort thrives in partial shade or dappled sunlight. The best spot for it would be beneath the light canopy of deciduous trees or on the north or east side of buildings where the plant is shielded from the harsh afternoon sun. They can tolerate morning sun, but in areas with hotter climates, they will do better with more shade to protect them from scorch.
TemperatureLungwort is hardy and can survive in a range of temperatures, but it thrives in areas where the average temperature is between 60°F and 75°F. They can handle minimum temperatures down to about -20°F to -30°F while dormant in winter and can survive maximum summer temperatures of around 85°F.
PruningPrune lungwort after it has finished flowering to maintain a neat appearance and encourage a second flush of leaves. Deadheading, or the removal of spent flowers, can also help prevent self-seeding and promote more foliage growth. The best time for pruning is in late spring or early summer, once the first flowering period is over.
CleaningAs needed
SoilLungwort 'Margery Fish' thrives best in humus-rich, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A mixture of garden soil, compost, and leaf mold or pine bark will create an ideal growing medium.
RepottingLungwort 'Margery Fish' doesn't require frequent repotting and can be repotted every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its current container.
Humidity & MistingLungwort 'Margery Fish' prefers a moderately humid environment to mimic its natural woodland habitat, but it's tolerant of average home humidity levels.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in filtered light, keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Partial shade, moist, fertile soil.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life of Pulmonaria 'Margery Fish', commonly known as Lungwort, begins with seed germination in favorable conditions of moisture and light soil, usually in spring. After germination, the seedlings establish themselves and develop a rosette of basal leaves. As the Lungwort reaches maturity, it forms clumps with its foliage and in early to mid-spring, it produces clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers that can range in color from pink to blue. After flowering, the plant sets seed, which can be dispersed to produce new plants. During the summer, the foliage remains, offering a ground cover, but Lungwort may enter a semi-dormant state in hot, dry conditions. In late autumn or with the onset of winter, the plant dies back to the ground, with the roots remaining dormant until the next spring when the cycle resumes.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Pulmonaria 'Margery Fish', more commonly known as Lungwort, can be propagated most effectively through division. This method should ideally be performed in early spring, just before the plant resumes its active growth, or in fall after the flowering has finished. To propagate Lungwort by division, one should carefully dig up the entire plant, being sure to keep as much of the root system intact as possible. The clump can then be gently pulled apart by hand or cut with a clean, sharp knife to create smaller sections, each with at least one shoot and a portion of the root system. These divisions should then be immediately replanted in moist, well-draining soil at the same depth they were previously growing. It's paramount to water them thoroughly after planting to encourage establishment.
