Lungwort (Pulmonaria 'Irish Spring' GAELIC SPRING)
Pulmonaria 'Irish Spring' GAELIC SPRING, or Lungwort, excels in heavy shade with low maintenance. Features lime-blotched foliage and violet-blue spring flowers.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Pulmonaria ‘Irish Spring’ GAELIC SPRING, commonly known as Lungwort, is a highly valued herbaceous perennial primarily prized for its attractive, silver-lime-blotched foliage that brightens the deepest shade gardens. Though it produces lovely violet-blue flowers in early spring, its evergreen quality in many climates makes it a superior architectural plant when other perennials are dormant. This variety is known for being compact and relatively low-maintenance, thriving where many other popular garden plants struggle.
As a superior shade performer, Pulmonaria ‘Irish Spring’ GAELIC SPRING offers reliably attractive color and texture throughout the growing season. It establishes itself slowly via creeping roots to form a neat, mounding clump ideal for mass plantings or as an edging element. Gardeners appreciate the low upkeep required for this robust selection.
This Lungwort variety offers vibrant spring color that emerges slightly pink before deepening to a true violet blue, often presenting both shades simultaneously on the same plant. Its tolerance for tough, shady spots and relative deer resistance make Pulmonaria ‘Irish Spring’ GAELIC SPRING an excellent structural choice for woodland or filtered light environments.
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: Violet blue
- Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
The best time to plant Pulmonaria ‘Irish Spring’ GAELIC SPRING is usually in the spring or fall when temperatures are moderate. Choose a location that receives part shade to full shade; while some light morning sun is tolerable, afternoon sun must be avoided as foliage scorches easily. This Lungwort thrives in average, well-drained soils, but it performs best in cool, organically rich, humusy medium-moisture soils.
Consistent moisture is crucial for successful growth. Soils must not be allowed to dry out, especially during hot spells, as drought can cause the plants to go into summer dormancy or severely damage the leaves. Fertilization is rarely needed if the soil is rich in organic matter. Deadhead spent flower stems immediately after bloom concludes to maintain tidiness, though this is not strictly necessary for plant health.
Pulmonaria ‘Irish Spring’ GAELIC SPRING spreads slowly via creeping roots. If plants become overcrowded, divide them in the fall. While the leaves often maintain residual color during mild winters, be aware that extremely hot, dry summer weather will significantly depreciate the foliage quality, a common trait among Lungwort species.
Landscape Uses
Pulmonaria ‘Irish Spring’ GAELIC SPRING is an excellent foliage plant specifically engineered for shady areas of the landscape where color is often scarce. It achieves its best visual impact when grown in drifts or massed together, creating a cohesive, low-maintenance ground cover beneath mature trees or along shaded building foundations.
Its compact habit also makes it an effective edging plant along shady paths or borders, defining walkways without requiring frequent trimming. Incorporate this Lungwort into woodland garden designs alongside other shade lovers like Hostas, Ferns, and Epimediums to layer textures, capitalizing on their mutual cultural requirements for consistent moisture and shade protection.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pulmonaria is a genus valued for its attractive foliage, and the cultivar ‘Irish Spring’ is a compact, mounding variety that showcases distinct lime-blotched leaves alongside its spring floral display. The funnel-shaped flowers emerge purple-pink before maturing to deep violet blue, often creating a striking bicolored effect simultaneously on the plant. This specific Lungwort grows to about 8 inches tall and spreads to 12 inches wide, offering dependable, low ground coverage.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
Pulmonaria ‘Irish Spring’ GAELIC SPRING generally avoids serious pest or disease issues, setting it apart from some other shade perennials. Slugs and snails are the most common insect pests to watch for, requiring routine monitoring or management. While many Lungworts struggle with powdery mildew, the ‘Irish Spring’ cultivar is reported to possess good resistance to this fungal issue. The main environmental issue to manage is excessive heat; ensure soil moisture remains consistent as dry conditions combined with heat cause leaf scorch and temporary dormancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Lungwort suitable for?
Pulmonaria ‘Irish Spring’ GAELIC SPRING is hardy across a wide range, suitable for USDA Zones 4 through 9.
How large does Pulmonaria ‘Irish Spring’ GAELIC SPRING grow?
This variety forms a compact clump, typically reaching a height between 0.5 and 0.75 feet tall, with a spread measuring approximately 0.75 to 1 foot wide.
What sun exposure does Lungwort need?
This Lungwort requires part shade to full shade conditions; afternoon sun exposure should be strictly avoided to prevent leaf scorch.
When does Lungwort bloom?
Pulmonaria ‘Irish Spring’ GAELIC SPRING produces its violet blue flowers reliably during the month of April.
Conclusion
The signature lime-blotched foliage and dependable violet-blue spring flowers make Pulmonaria ‘Irish Spring’ GAELIC SPRING an indispensable anchor for deeply shaded garden areas. This low-maintenance Lungwort offers perennial interest with excellent drought and pest tolerance compared to many shade species. Before planting, confirm your USDA Zone compatibility and prepare your soil to be rich and consistently moist to ensure optimal performance from your Pulmonaria ‘Irish Spring’ GAELIC SPRING.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Pulmonaria ‘Irish Spring’ GAELIC SPRING, focus on other plants that share a preference for moist, organically rich soil and deep shade. Hosta varieties with blue or chartreuse foliage provide excellent textural contrast against the spotted leaves of the Lungwort. Consider planting early-flowering woodland bulbs like Snowdrops (Galanthus) or Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) beneath the emerging foliage for layered spring interest.
For summer structure, pair your Lungwort clump with shade-loving perennials that tolerate similar moisture levels, such as Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra) or Tiarella (Foamflower). These combinations create a lush, cooling tapestry suitable for woodland borders, emphasizing the rich greens and silvers present in the Pulmonaria ‘Irish Spring’ GAELIC SPRING.
Propagation Tips
Propagation of this herbaceous perennial is best achieved through division, as it slowly spreads via creeping roots. The ideal time to divide your Pulmonaria ‘Irish Spring’ GAELIC SPRING clumps is in the fall. Carefully dig up the entire clump using a sharp spade, gently tease apart the root sections, ensuring each division has several healthy leaves attached.
Replant the divisions immediately into prepared, humus-rich soil nearby, ensuring the crowns are planted at the same depth they were previously established. Keep the newly divided Pulmonaria well-watered for several weeks following the transplant to encourage rapid root establishment before winter dormancy sets in. This method quickly multiplies your stock of this superior Lungwort.
