Pulmonaria officinalis aka Lungwort

Pulmonaria officinalis, or common lungwort, belongs to the borage family. This herbaceous perennial comes from wooded parts of Europe. It also grows in damp grasslands and hedges. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. The name lungwort reflects an old belief about its leaves. Their pale spots led herbalists to link them with lung disease.

Plants form low clumps and spread slowly through underground rhizomes. Garden plants reach 0.5–1 foot (0.15–0.3 metres) tall. They spread 1–1.5 feet (0.3–0.46 metres) wide. RHS size bands allow up to 1.6 feet (0.5 metres) each way. The green leaves have pale spots and a rough, hairy surface. Lower leaves have stalks and an egg or heart shape. Smaller leaves sit along the upright, hairy stems. Plants may lose their leaves or keep some through winter. Warmer parts of the growing range favour winter leaf retention.

Flowers rise above the leaves in branching clusters during April and May. Each small flower has a funnel shape and five petals. New flowers start pink, then turn violet before becoming blue. Changes in the flower's pH drive this colour shift. A single clump can show all three colours at once. Bees visit the flowers, and the plant attracts other insects. The spotted leaves add interest beyond the spring bloom season.

Grow lungwort in cool shade with rich soil that drains well. Partial shade suits it best, though it tolerates deeper shade. Keep the soil moist, but avoid standing water around roots. Full sun can scorch leaves, while heat and drought cause damage. It grows in clay, loam, and chalk soils. RHS lists acid, neutral, and alkaline soil as suitable. Its hardiness ratings are USDA zones 3–8 and UK H6. Divide crowded clumps after flowering or during autumn. Remove old leaves once flowering ends.

Use it as ground cover beneath trees or beside shaded paths. Groups also suit woodland borders, rock gardens, and containers. Its slow spread does not make it invasive. Serious pest and disease problems are uncommon. Slugs can damage foliage, and dry conditions favour powdery mildew. Poor drainage can lead to root rot. Sources describe the leaves as edible, either raw or cooked. Their mild taste contrasts with a hairy, somewhat slimy texture. PFAF records herbal uses for coughs and chest complaints. It reports no known hazards, rather than proven safety.