Lungwort Pulmonaria 'Pink Haze' (PBR)
ABOUT
Pulmonaria 'Pink Haze', also commonly known as Lungwort 'Pink Haze', is a shade-loving perennial plant renowned for its decorative foliage and charming flowers. The plant displays a clump-forming habit with an array of oval-shaped leaves that possess a unique and attractive texture. The foliage may catch the eye with its soft green color, which is often speckled or marbled with splashes of silver or white, providing a striking contrast that enhances the visual interest of the plant throughout the growing season. One of the most delightful aspects of Lungwort 'Pink Haze' is its floral display. The flowers emerge in clusters on short stalks that rise above the foliage in early to mid-spring. Initially, the buds may exhibit a pinkish hue which later transforms into a more subtle shade as flowers mature, giving the plant its name 'Pink Haze'. These delicate, funnel-shaped blossoms are a magnet for pollinators, including bees and butterflies, adding not only beauty but also ecological value to the garden. While the plant is hardy and resilient, adapting to a variety of garden settings, it particularly thrives in well-draining soil that is kept consistently moist. If positioned in the right environment, Lungwort 'Pink Haze' can provide a low-maintenance option for gardeners looking to add texture and color, especially in shaded garden areas where other plants might struggle to perform.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Boraginaceae.
Synonyms
Lungwort, Bethlehem Sage, Jerusalem Sage.
Common names
Pulmonaria 'Pink Haze' (PBR)
ToxicityTo humans
Lungwort is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There is no widespread evidence to suggest that touching or ingesting lungwort causes any harmful effects or symptoms of poisoning. As with any plant, individual sensitivities can vary, and it is always best to avoid ingesting plants that are not explicitly meant for consumption.
To pets
Lungwort is not known to be toxic to pets. There are no specific symptoms associated with lungwort poisoning in pets because it is generally regarded as a safe plant around animals. As with humans, it's always prudent to prevent pets from ingesting plants unnecessarily, but lungwort does not pose a known risk of toxicity to cats, dogs, or other household animals.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-deciduous
Color of leaves
Variegated
Flower color
Pink
Height
1 foot (30 cm)
Spread
1 foot 6 inches (45 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4-9
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Pulmonaria 'Pink Haze' is favored by bees and other beneficial insects, which can help pollinate gardens and support local ecosystems.
- Low Maintenance: This lungwort variety is known for being easy to care for, requiring minimal upkeep once established.
- Shade Tolerance: It thrives in shadier spots where other plants might struggle, making it an excellent option for woodland gardens or shaded borders.
- Spring Blooms: Bright pink flowers emerge in spring, providing early color to gardens when many other plants have yet to bloom.
- Groundcover: The plant's foliage spreads, creating an attractive ground cover that can prevent weeds and protect soil moisture.
- Foliage Interest: Lungwort has unique silver-spotted foliage that remains visually interesting even when the plant is not in flower.
- Hardiness: It is winter hardy in many climates, which means it can survive cold winters without the need for special protection or care.
- Seasonal Interest: Lungwort offers early spring flowers and attractive foliage throughout the growing season, contributing to year-round garden interest.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Lungwort can be utilized as a natural dye for fabrics, providing a range of colors depending on the mordants used.
- In a wildlife garden, lungwort flowers can serve as an early nectar source for bees and other pollinators when few other plants are in bloom.
- The rough-textured leaves of lungwort can be used as a gentle abrasive to clean pots and pans in an outdoor or camping situation.
- Lungwort's low-growing habit and shade tolerance make it an excellent living mulch that helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- The leaves of lungwort can be added to compost piles to introduce diversity and help balance the green to brown ratio.
- When creating floral arrangements, the spotted leaves of lungwort add an interesting visual texture and contrast alongside other plants.
- Lungwort can be planted under deciduous trees to provide a decorative ground cover that takes advantage of seasonal changes in light conditions.
- This plant can be used in sensory gardens for its unique leaf patterns and textures that offer tactile experiences.
- In permaculture design, lungwort can provide ground cover and benefit nearby plants by attracting beneficial insects.
- Lungwort may be used for educational purposes to demonstrate plant adaptations, such as how its leaves change color to reflect the ambient light conditions under trees.
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 'Pink Haze', commonly known as Lungwort, often symbolizes hope due to its early spring blooms that signal the end of winter and the start of a new growing season.
- Healing: Historically, lungwort has been associated with medicinal properties, specifically for treating lung ailments, which contributes to its symbolism of healing and restoration.
- Longevity: With its ability to thrive in shady gardens and return year after year, lungwort represents longevity and perseverance.
WaterThe Lungwort 'Pink Haze' should be watered thoroughly, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, water this plant once or twice a week, depending on the climate and weather conditions, with approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons per week for an established plant. During the winter months, reduce the frequency of watering to prevent root rot, but don't allow the soil to dry out completely. If the weather is particularly hot and dry, you may need to water more frequently to keep the soil consistently moist. Early morning or late afternoon watering is ideal to reduce evaporation.
LightLungwort 'Pink Haze' thrives in partial to full shade. It prefers a spot that receives dappled sunlight throughout the day or light shade under taller plants or trees. Direct afternoon sunlight should be avoided as it can scorch the delicate leaves. The best location would offer morning light with protection from the intense sun of midday and afternoon.
TemperatureLungwort 'Pink Haze' is hardy and prefers cooler temperatures, thriving in a range of 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive minimum temperatures down to 20°F and maximum temperatures up to 80°F but prolonged exposure to extremes outside of its preferred range may stress the plant. The ideal growing conditions are in areas where the temperature does not fluctuate dramatically.
PruningLungwort 'Pink Haze' should be pruned to remove spent flower stems after blooming to encourage a second flush of flowers and to tidy up the plant. It's also beneficial to prune in late winter or early spring to remove any old or damaged foliage, promoting new growth. Pruning can be done once a year, either post-flowering or during the plant's dormant period.
CleaningAs needed
SoilLungwort 'Pink Haze' prefers a well-draining soil rich in organic matter. A mix of two parts garden soil, one part peat moss, and one part perlite or coarse sand is ideal. This plant thrives in slightly acidic to neutral pH, around 6.0 to 7.0.
RepottingLungwort 'Pink Haze' should be repotted every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its current container. The best time for repotting is in the spring.
Humidity & MistingLungwort 'Pink Haze' prefers moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 50-70%.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in partial shade, keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Plant in dappled shade, ensure moist soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cyclePulmonaria 'Pink Haze', commonly known as Lungwort 'Pink Haze', begins its life cycle when seeds germinate in the spring, emerging as small, basal rosettes with silver-spotted foliage. The leaves mature and the plant develops a low, mounded habit throughout the growing season. In late winter to early spring of the following year, flowering stems rise above the foliage, displaying clusters of pink flowers that attract pollinators. After flowering, the plant sets seed, which can be dispersed to generate new plants. As a perennial, once the blooming period is over, the Lungwort 'Pink Haze' enters a period of vegetative growth where it stores energy for the next year. The plant then goes dormant in the winter, with the foliage dying back, and the cycle begins anew with the next spring's growth.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Pulmonaria 'Pink Haze', also known as Lungwort 'Pink Haze', can be propagated most effectively by division. The best time to divide this perennial plant is in early spring or fall when the weather is cool and the plant is not in active growth. To propagate by division, carefully lift the entire plant from the ground using a spade, ensuring a good amount of root and soil is kept intact with the plant clump. Once lifted, use a sharp knife or spade to split the plant into smaller sections, each with several shoots and a healthy portion of roots. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were originally growing, spacing them about 12 inches (approximately 30 centimeters) apart to allow for growth. Water the new divisions thoroughly to help establish them. By following these steps, new Pulmonaria 'Pink Haze' plants will begin to grow and can fill an area with their attractive foliage and blooms.
