Lungwort (Pulmonaria 'Moonshine')
Pulmonaria 'Moonshine' Lungwort offers stunning silver foliage and pale blue-white spring flowers. Low maintenance shade perennial for zones 4-9.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Pulmonaria ‘Moonshine’, commonly known as Lungwort, is highly valued in the shade garden primarily for its extraordinary foliage. This cultivar features heavy silvered leaves edged in dark green, providing consistent visual interest long after the spring flowers fade. Its value as a low-maintenance perennial makes it an excellent ground cover solution for difficult, dark areas of the landscape.
Blooming commences in April, showcasing lovely pale blue-white flowers that emerge pink before maturing. Pulmonaria ‘Moonshine’ maintains a tidy, compact, mounding habit, spreading slowly via creeping roots. Gardeners appreciate the durability and minimal care required by Lungwort, especially when environmental conditions align with its preference for moist, humusy soil.
This plant perfectly fulfills dual roles, offering both beautiful spring color and outstanding year-round leaf texture. Its ability to thrive where many sun-lovers fail solidifies the place of Pulmonaria ‘Moonshine’ in woodland and shade border designs.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Boraginaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-0.75 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1 ft
- Bloom Time: April
- Bloom Description: Pale blue-white
- Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Lungwort in the landscape when soil is workable, ensuring the location receives part shade to full shade, ideally protected from intense afternoon sun. These perennials establish best in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. The critical factor for success with Pulmonaria ‘Moonshine’ is consistent moisture; soils must not be allowed to dry out, as drought can cause significant foliage scorch, especially in summer heat.
Watering should be focused on maintaining even soil moisture throughout the growing season. Supplemental water is necessary if rainfall proves inadequate, particularly if the plant shows signs of stress or dormancy in mid-summer heat. Fertilization is rarely needed if planting occurred in organically rich soil, but a spring top-dressing of compost can be beneficial.
For maintenance, prune out spent flower stems immediately after the bloom period concludes to maintain tidiness. Root division can be performed in the fall if the tight clumps start to become overly crowded. Be observant during hot weather; insufficient moisture or excessive direct sun will cause the attractive leaves to depreciate in appearance.
Landscape Uses
Pulmonaria ‘Moonshine’ excels as a substantial ground cover, effectively knitting together shady areas of the landscape. Its dense, mounding foliage suppresses weed growth while creating year-round visual structure. It is best grown massed in groups within woodland settings or shaded borders, offering a refined texture contrast against ferns or hostas.
The spring display of flowers, transitioning from pink to pale blue-white, enhances shaded border areas and rock gardens. Consider using this variety as an edging plant along cool, shaded paths where its interesting leaves can be easily observed up close. The foliage remains attractive even when the plant is not in bloom, offering excellent utility where light is limited.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pulmonaria is a genus valued for deciduous or evergreen herbaceous perennials, often appreciated more for foliage than flowers. The common name, Lungwort, references the historical belief that its spotted leaves resembled diseased lungs, a theory discredited today. ‘Moonshine’ is a compact selection defined by heavily silvered, ovate leaves boasting a thin dark green edge, which contrasts beautifully with its spring clusters of funnel-shaped flowers that change from pink to pale blue-white.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
Slugs and snails are the primary occasional insect pests targeting Lungwort foliage. Powdery mildew poses a more significant threat, especially if soil moisture levels fluctuate erratically or are allowed to dry out through the summer months. To prevent disease, ensure adequate air circulation and maintain steady soil hydration. Foliage quality will diminish noticeably, potentially scorching, if Pulmonaria ‘Moonshine’ is exposed to prolonged, intense sun or extreme high temperatures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Lungwort suitable for?
Pulmonaria ‘Moonshine’ is reliable in USDA Zones 4-9.
How large does Lungwort grow?
This variety reaches a height between 0.5 and 0.75 feet and spreads from 0.75 to 1 foot wide.
When does Pulmonaria ‘Moonshine’ bloom?
This Lungwort blooms in April, displaying delicate pale blue-white flowers.
What sun exposure does Pulmonaria ‘Moonshine’ need?
It performs best in part shade to full shade conditions, avoiding harsh afternoon light.
Conclusion
Pulmonaria ‘Moonshine’ is an indispensable perennial for dark corners, providing unparalleled silver foliage texture and early spring color. Its low maintenance nature and high adaptability to heavy shade—even tolerating Black Walnut—make this Lungwort a foolproof selection. Before planting, confirm your area falls within USDA Zones 4-9 and ensure you can meet its requirement for consistently medium moisture levels.
Companion Planting
When designing a shade garden featuring Pulmonaria ‘Moonshine’, select companions that share its preference for medium moisture and low light levels. Hosta varieties with darker green or blue foliage create an excellent tonal contrast against the silver leaves of Lungwort. Consider using woodland standards like Astilbe for seasonal color plumes or delicate ferns, such as Japanese Painted Ferns, for contrasting airy texture. Grouping these plants ensures a cohesive, lush understory design throughout the summer season.
Design Ideas for Ground Cover
As a superb ground cover, Pulmonaria ‘Moonshine’ works wonderfully when planted en masse beneath large deciduous trees where grass struggles. Its steady, low profile makes it perfect for softening hard edges along shady retaining walls or creeping paths. For an informal, naturalized look characteristic of woodland gardens, intersperse small clusters of Lungwort among stepping stones, allowing its creeping roots the space to eventually connect the patches naturally.
