Jerusalem Sage, Bethlehem lungwort, Lungwort
Pulmonaria saccharata

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Blue, Pink. Main Bloom Time: Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded.

Pulmonaria saccharata is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Woods and scrub. Shaded positions in deep humus-rich soils.

Central and southern Europe.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

The plant is said to be used as a spice. No more details are given.

Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

A good ground cover plant for a shady position. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Ground cover, Massing, Specimen, Woodland garden. Grows well in any moderately good soil including heavy clay soils. Prefers full to part shade in a moist humus rich soil. Succeeds in the sunless shade of buildings. Dislikes dry soils. Plants growing in shady positions tolerate drought if the soil is rich in humus. The leaves tend to wilt in hot weather when the plant is grown in full sun. Hardy to about -20°c. A very ornamental plant, it is semi-evergreen, forming small over-wintering rosettes. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits. A valuable early nectar source for bees. Plants seen growing in dappled shade at Hilliers Arboretum in April 1999 were self-sowing quite freely. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. There are many named varieties, selected for their ornamental value. Special Features: Attractive foliage.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn or after flowering in early summer if the soil is not too dry. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

P. picta.