Redstart Lungwort Pulmonaria rubra 'Redstart'
ABOUT
The plant known as Redstart is a perennial with a distinctive appearance that makes it a favored choice for many gardens. It features a lush foliage of soft, hairy leaves that are a deep green color. What's particularly striking about the Redstart is its leaves may exhibit silver or white speckles or blotches, adding visual texture to the plant. During its blooming period, the Redstart stands out with its clusters of funnel-shaped flowers. These blossoms have a vibrant reddish-pink hue, which is a relatively uncommon color within its species, known for typically showcasing blue or violet flowers. The brightness of the red flowers is a significant draw, helping to attract pollinators and adding a splash of warm color to the plant's surroundings. The contrast between the green, often variegated leaves and the red flowers creates an eye-catching display. This plant often blooms in the early spring, helping to inject color into a garden when many other plants have yet to wake from their winter dormancy. Over the course of the blooming season, it is not uncommon for the reddish blooms to fade to a softer pink, providing a lengthened period of visual interest. With its distinctive leaves and striking red flowers, the Redstart offers a refreshing divergence from the more common colors and textures of garden perennials. The plant's appearance can bring both elegance and vibrancy to shaded garden spots or woodland settings, appealing to gardeners looking for a touch of beauty in early spring.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Boraginaceae
Synonyms
Red Lungwort, Redstart Lungwort
Common names
Pulmonaria rubra 'Redstart'.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as Red Lungwort (Pulmonaria rubra 'Redstart') is not listed as toxic to humans. There is no widely recognized record of toxicity in this plant for human ingestion, and it is not commonly associated with symptoms of poisoning.
To pets
Similarly, Red Lungwort is not known to be toxic to pets either. There are no commonly recognized symptoms of poisoning in pets from ingestion of this plant. However, it is always prudent to prevent pets from eating plants as individual animals might have adverse reactions to substances not typically considered poisonous.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Red
Height
1 foot (30 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts pollinators: Pulmonaria rubra 'Redstart' is known to attract bees and butterflies, which are beneficial for pollination of surrounding plants.
- Low maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care, making it ideal for gardeners looking for plants that don't need constant attention.
- Shade-tolerant: It thrives in shaded areas where other plants may struggle, allowing for gardening in spots with less sunlight.
- Seasonal interest: With its red flowers in early spring and attractive foliage, it adds color and interest to the garden throughout multiple seasons.
- Drought resistant: After establishment, it can tolerate periods of drought, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Ground cover: Its spreading habit makes it useful for covering ground, suppressing weeds, and stabilizing soil.
- Wildlife habitat: Provides shelter and food for insects and small wildlife in the garden ecosystem.
- Ornamental value: The plant's vivid flowers and speckled leaves make it a visually appealing addition to any landscape design.
- Non-invasive: Unlike some other garden plants, it is known for staying where it is planted without aggressively spreading.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Pulmonaria rubra 'Redstart', also known as Redstart lungwort, can be used as a source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinating insects in the garden, due to its early flowering period.
- The plant's distinctive foliage, with its spotted or mottled texture, can also serve as an inspiration for artists and designers seeking organic patterns in their work.
- Redstart lungwort can be utilized for education in botany and horticulture, as it showcases how leaf morphology can vary within a single species or cultivar.
- This lungwort variety is an ideal candidate for a shade garden demonstration area, exemplifying how colorful blooms can be achieved in lower light conditions.
- The plant's leaves can also be used as a natural mulch, as they decompose and add nutrients back into the soil, benefiting surrounding plant growth.
- Due to its ground-covering habit, Redstart lungwort can be used to prevent soil erosion in shaded areas where other plants may struggle to grow.
- When used in a wildlife-friendly garden, its dense foliage can provide shelter for small ground-dwelling creatures.
- For those interested in dyeing, the leaves may offer a source of green pigments, although traditional use in this application is not well documented.
- In a sensory garden, the soft, hairy texture of Pulmonaria rubra 'Redstart' leaves can add a tactile element for visitors to touch and experience.
- As part of a garden designed to evolve throughout the seasons, the changing appearance of the plant, from its early flowers to its summer foliage, can illustrate how dynamic plant life can be.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiPulmonaria is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityPulmonaria is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Hope: Pulmonaria, also known as lungwort, is often associated with hope due to its early spring bloom, signaling the end of winter and the start of a new growing season.
- Health: Historically, Pulmonaria plants have medicinal associations, particularly with lung health, as their leaves resemble lungs, hence the name lungwort.
- Longevity: The resilience and hardiness of the Pulmonaria plant can symbolize a long and healthy life.
WaterRed Lungwort should be watered thoroughly, ensuring the soil is kept evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water the plant with approximately 1 gallon of water per week during the growing season, adjusting for rainfall. Reduce watering in the winter months when the plant is dormant. It's important to avoid overhead watering to prevent leaf diseases; instead, water directly at the soil level.
LightRed Lungwort thrives best in partial shade to full shade, avoiding the harsh afternoon sun which can scorch its leaves. A spot under deciduous trees or a north-facing garden site that gets dappled sunlight is ideal for this plant. Too much direct sun can lead to faded foliage and reduced flowering.
TemperatureRed Lungwort prefers cooler climates and is hardy in temperatures as low as 20°F and can tolerate up to 80°F. Ideally, it grows best in temperatures ranging between 50°F and 75°F. Extreme heat can stress the plant and may require additional shade or water to keep it cool.
PruningRed Lungwort should be pruned to remove any spent flowers and damaged leaves. This encourages new growth and prevents the plant from seeding all over. The best time for pruning is immediately after the plant finishes blooming. Prune it again in late autumn to tidy up the plant before winter sets in.
CleaningAs needed
SoilRed Lungwort prefers rich, moist but well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. To create the best soil mix, combine garden soil, leaf mould or peat moss, and perlite or sand to ensure proper drainage and aeration.
RepottingRed Lungwort should be repotted every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its current container. This will help to refresh the soil and give the roots more room to grow.
Humidity & MistingRed Lungwort thrives at a humidity level of 50% or higher but is quite adaptable to average room humidity. A humidifier or pebble tray can help maintain these conditions indoors.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Red Lungwort in bright, indirect light indoors with moist soil.
Outdoor
Grow Red Lungwort in partial shade and keep soil consistently moist.
Hardiness zone
Red Lungwort is suitable for 4-8 USDA hardiness zones.
Life cyclePulmonaria rubra 'Redstart', commonly known as Redstart Lungwort, begins its life cycle as a seed, which, when sown in well-draining soil and with the right conditions, will germinate to produce small seedlings. These seedlings develop into a rosette of hairy, oval-shaped leaves. As the plant matures, it forms clumps with its foliage becoming more pronounced. In early to mid-spring, Redstart Lungwort produces clusters of trumpet-shaped, red to coral-pink flowers which are attractive to pollinators. After flowering, the plant sets seed, completing its reproductive cycle; these seeds can be dispersed to propagate new plants. Redstart Lungwort is a perennial and will die back to the ground in winter, with the roots remaining dormant until spring when new growth emerges to start the cycle anew.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Pulmonaria rubra 'Redstart', commonly known as Red Lungwort, is a herbaceous perennial that is frequently propagated by division, which is one of the most popular methods. The best time to divide Red Lungwort is in the early spring or fall when the plant is not in active bloom. This process involves carefully lifting the entire plant out of the ground using a garden fork and then gently separating the plant into smaller pieces, each with a section of root and a few shoots. These divisions can be immediately replanted into prepared soil, spaced about 12 inches (approximately 30 centimeters) apart to allow for growth. Water these new plantings thoroughly until they are established. Division is an efficient way to propagate Red Lungwort as it also rejuvenates older clumps that may have become woody and less floriferous.
