Lungwort (Pulmonaria 'Trevi Fountain')
Pulmonaria 'Trevi Fountain' (Lungwort) is a stunning herbaceous perennial valued for silver-spotted foliage and cobalt blue flowers in shade.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’, commonly known as Lungwort, is celebrated as an exceptional shade garden resident, often valued as much for its distinctive foliage as for its spring color display. This mounding variety captivates interest with slender leaves heavily spotted with silver, creating year-round visual texture in darker corners of the landscape. As an herbaceous perennial, it reliably returns each year, offering low-maintenance charm.
The key appeal of Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’ lies in its ability to thrive where many other plants struggle—deep shade and challenging sites. In early spring, it emerges with clusters of vibrant, funnel-shaped, cobalt blue flowers, marking an attractive transition into the growing season. Gardeners rely on this cultivar for mass plantings or as a textural ground cover beneath tree canopies.
While known for its beauty, this Lungwort variety is also practical, noted for its resilience against several common garden pressures, including pests and moderate Black Walnut influence. Its slow-spreading habit and requirement for consistent moisture define its cultural needs, rewarding attentive care with dense, attractive clumps.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Boraginaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.75-1 ft
- Spread: 1.5-2 ft
- Bloom Time: April
- Bloom Description: Cobalt blue
- Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal success with Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’, plant in spring or fall, ensuring locations provide ample afternoon shade. This Lungwort performs best in average soils that are well-drained but rich in organic matter. It requires medium moisture; the soil must be kept consistently damp, as allowing the soil to dry out, especially in summer heat, can cause the foliage to depreciate severely or scorch.
Cultivation is generally low maintenance once established. While it tolerates light morning sun, afternoon exposure should be avoided to prevent leaf burn. There is no strict requirement for supplemental fertilizer if the soil is organically rich, but division in the fall can be performed if the slow-spreading clumps become overly crowded.
Pruning is minimal; gardeners should remove spent flower stems immediately after the cobalt blue blooms fade to encourage the foliage to remain its best. In regions experiencing significant summer heat, the plants may briefly enter dormancy if moisture stress is severe, though the silvery foliage generally persists longer in milder winter climates.
Landscape Uses
Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’ excels as an excellent foliage plant specifically designed for shaded areas where light is limited. Its ability to form a dense, silvery mat makes it superb when grown in groups or massed throughout woodland gardens, providing excellent ground cover definition. The striking contrast between the deep green/silver leaves and the spring blue flowers makes it an ideal choice for edging shaded paths or softening the base of dark borders.
Use this dependable perennial to fill woodland gaps or nestled beneath deciduous trees where competing grass roots are managed. Because of its consistent texture, Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’ pairs beautifully with other shade lovers that offer differing leaf shapes or seasonal color, such as Hostas with solid colors or certain ferns. Mass planting yields the best visual impact for this low-growing ground cover solution.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pulmonaria is a genus featuring about 17 species of herbaceous perennials native to Europe and Asia, with Lungworts frequently admired for their attractive foliage similar to Hostas. The genus name originates from the Latin word pulmo (lung), referencing the historical, but scientifically unfounded, belief that spotted leaves could treat lung ailments based on the Doctrine of Signatures. Cultivar ‘Trevi Fountain’ develops into a neatly mounding clump, characterized by distinctive slender, silver-spotted leaves and large, attractive cobalt-blue flowers emerging in terminal cymes during spring.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
Lungwort generally offers excellent longevity without suffering from serious insect or disease issues, though occasional nibbling by slugs and snails may occur. The primary management concern centers around powdery mildew, which can become significant if the soil is allowed to dry completely during the summer months, stressing the plant. While this can plague some Lungworts, Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’ reportedly exhibits good resistance to this mildew, provided consistent medium moisture levels are maintained. Avoid planting in areas receiving excessive direct sun, as the foliage will likely scorch in extremely hot weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Lungwort suitable for?
Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’ is suitable for USDA Zones 4 through 9, offering wide adaptability across many regions.
How large does Lungwort grow?
This variety typically reaches a height between 0.75 and 1 foot tall, spreading to a width of approximately 1.5 to 2 feet at maturity.
When does Lungwort bloom?
Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’ blooms reliably in April, producing beautiful clusters of cobalt blue flowers above the distinctive foliage.
What sun exposure does Lungwort need?
This plant thrives in part shade, but it can tolerate full shade, requiring protection from intense afternoon sun exposure.
Conclusion
Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’ is a fantastic, low-maintenance selection for adding texture and early spring color to deeply shaded areas of the garden. Its combination of silver-spotted foliage and reliable cobalt blue blooms ensures season-long interest, cementing its status as a superior perennial ground cover. Before planting, confirm your site provides consistent moisture and shade to best enjoy this wonderful Lungwort.
Companion Planting
When selecting neighbors for Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’, focus on plants that share a preference for consistent moisture and shade. Hostas that contrast well with the silver spotting—perhaps those with solid green, blue, or variegated patterns—make excellent companions, reinforcing the foliage theme. Consider woodland favorites like Helleborus (Lenten Rose), which blooms earlier, or large ferns for vertical contrast. The medium water needs of this Lungwort mean it pairs well near astilbes or bleeding hearts, provided excessive summer drought is avoided for all three.
Design Ideas for Shady Borders
Utilizing Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’ along border edges provides a vibrant, low ribbon of silver and blue that frames taller plantings. Because it spreads moderately by creeping roots, it manages slopes and banks effectively when naturalized in large drifts rather than small clumps. In woodland garden settings, plant it beneath Japanese maples or mature oaks where dappled light prevails. The low height (under 1 foot) keeps sightlines clear while its foliage suppresses weeds effectively within its growing area.
