The hybrid lungworts vary in their origin. Some are the result of crossing two species and some are from chance seedlings. These hybrids are the dominant lungworts found in commerce today. Like other species of Pulmonaria, these hybrids are clumping perennials that are often planted in groups to form a ground cover.
Size and Method of spreading:
Hybrid lungworts will vary in their size depending on the cultivar. In general most of these are under 2 feet in height. They are often used as a clump-forming ground cover. Clump-forming ground covers are plants that are not usually thought of as ground covers. They are perennials that can be planted closely together to provide the visual effect of a ground cover.
Native geographic location and habitat:
This plant is of hybrid origin.
Leaf description:
Leaves will vary by cultivar. Some will be more lance-shaped, while others will be more egg-shaped. They vary in the color as well, from solid green to green with silvery spots, to almost entirely silver.
Flower description:
All the hybrids produce small, funnel-shaped flowers in clusters. Many cultivars will have pink flowers that mature to blue. The various cultivars offer a range of shades of blues and pinks. Flowering time is spring.
Fruit description:
The small, dry fruits are not ornamentally important.
Plant care:
These plants need shady conditions and moist soils for best growth. Plants grown in dry conditions often don’t look their best.
List of pests, diseases, and tolerances:
Slugs can be a problem for this plant. Leaf spots and crown rot can occur if the plant is in a wet site. It is resistant to deer and tolerant of black walnut toxicity. Some cultivars have been bred for mildew resistance.
Blue Ensign hybrid lungwort (Pulmonaria ‘Blue Ensign’):
This cultivar has blue flowers, solid green foliage, and a mature height of 12 inches high.
Cotton Cool hybrid lungwort (Pulmonaria ‘Cotton Cool’):
Flowers emerge pink and turn blue, with both colors prominent at the same time on one plant. Its foliage is mostly silver and the plant grows 12 inches high.
High Contrast hybrid lungwort (Pulmonaria ‘High Contrast’):
Blue and pink flowers show up together on this cultivar. Its foliage is dark green but heavily spotted with silver and the plant grows 6 to 12 inches high.
Majeste hybrid lungwort (Pulmonaria ‘Majeste’):
This cultivar has blue flowers and foliage that is mostly silver. It grows to 6 to 12 inches high.
Moonshine hybrid lungwort (Pulmonaria ‘Moonshine’):
This plant has ice blue flowers. New foliage is silvery with a green edge, maturing to green with silver spots. It is mildew resistant and grows 8 to 12 inches high.
Raspberry Splash hybrid lungwort (Pulmonaria ‘Raspberry Splash’):
Raspberry colored flowers bloom on this cultivar and its leaves are green with silvery blotches. It grows to 8 to 12 inches high.
Samouri hybrid lungwort (Pulmonaria ‘Samourai’):
Violet blue flowers bloom on this cultivar. Its narrow foliage is almost completely silver and the plant grows 8 to 12 inches high.
Trevi Fountain hybrid lungwort (Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’):
Growing 8 to 12 inches high, this cultivar has cobalt blue flowers and green leaves with silvery spots.
