Plant of the week

PULMONARIA ‘LEWIS PALMER’

PULMONARIAS are among the finest spring-blooming perennials. As well as flowering from February to June, most have beautifully marked leaves which endure for much of summer.

The variety Lewis Palmer is one of the best. Generous sprays of pink buds open to bright blue flowers. The flower sprays are short at first but soon extend to form colourful mounds. The large leaves are stippled with bold silver-grey blotches, setting off the flowers to perfection.

Pulmonarias are plants of the woodland edge. To get the best from them at home, plant them in partial shade.