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Herbaceous Perennial

Pulmonaria rubra
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

red lungwort

P. rubra is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial to 40cm, with light green, unspotted leaves and short leafy stems bearing clusters of coral-red flowers from late winter to spring

Synonyms
Pulmonaria angustifolia 'Rubra'
Pulmonaria officinalis rubra

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Red Green
Summer Green
Autumn
Winter Red
Position
  • Full shade
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Boraginaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Pulmonaria can be herbaceous or semi-evergreen rhizomatous perennials with terminal clusters of funnel-shaped flowers in late winter or early spring, and often strikingly patterned leaves developing in summer

Name status

Correct

Plant range
SE Europe

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich, fertile, moist but not waterlogged soil in full or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division after flowering or in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

Remove old leaves after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be subject to powdery mildews in dry conditions

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