A new pulmonaria involving three different species brings attractively ruffled flowers in a vibrant colour
The most vividly pink of all pulmonarias has broken a lull in new lungwort introductions and at the same time brings us unusually large flowers and good mildew resistance.
‘Shrimps on the Barbie’ is named for the vivid colours of its flowers and was developed by Terra Nova Nurseries in Oregon. Chuck Pavlich, Director of New Product Development at Terra Nova, told me about it.
“It has a rather large, dense habit and presents large clusters of fluted and ruffled flowers,” he said. “The consistent coral-pink colour is quite unusual and has a good contrast to the medium large, healthy foliage.
“‘Shrimps on the Barbie’ is quite mildew resistant. We have not observed mildew on the plant despite only having an overhead water option in the trial fields.
‘Shrimps on the Barbie’ is a three way hybrid, involving
P. saccharata,
P. officinalis and
P. rubra. “We held it back for years because there was a difference of opinion at Terra Nova: at first it was believed it would not be popular due to the shrimp pink flowers.”
This looks to be the first ever three-way pulmonaria hybrid introduced to gardens. Like other pulmonarias, ‘Shrimps on the Barbie’ grows well in partial or full shade and flowers in April and May. The boldly spotted foliage reaches about 25cm in height, developing into a wide ground-covering clump about 60cm across, with the flowers sitting tight on the leaves.
You can order
Pulmonaria ‘Shrimps on the Barbie’ from
Cowell’s Garden Centre and from these
RHS Plant Finder nurseries.
*Please note, the contents of this blog reflect the views of its author and do not constitute an endorsment from the RHS
