Pulmonaria Opal

Pulmonaria Opal: Palest Blue Bells for Shady Corners

Clear, pale opal-blue bells over leaves blotched with silver, glowing in early spring when the shade garden is still waking up. This lungwort is THE GEMSTONE NOBODY HAS TO INSURE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Pulmonaria Opal ('Ocupol')
• Common Name: Lungwort
• Height: 30–35 cm (12–14 in)
• Spread: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
• Flowers: Clear, pale opal-blue bells from pale pink buds, fading toward white
• Bloom Time: Early to mid-spring (April to May)
• Foliage: Ovate green leaves heavily speckled and blotched with silver
• Features: RHS Award of Garden Merit
• Plant Patent: USPP 12,931

Where to Plant: Use it under trees, along a woodland path, or as a low edging in a shady border. Plant three or five together for a gentle carpet of colour in spring. Its soft colouring suits cool, calm planting schemes.

Companion Plants: Tiarella 'Spring Symphony' sends up pink spikes in May and June, right after the lungwort. Carex 'Bowles Golden' is a gold sedge at 60 to 90 cm that lights up shady spots. Ligularia 'Britt-Marie Crawford' brings orange flowers at 90 to 120 cm in August and September. The lungwort leads off in April, and the others carry the bed into fall.

Plant Care: Plant in rich, moist, well-drained soil in part to full shade. Keep the soil evenly moist, especially through the first summer. Mulch helps hold moisture and keeps the leaves looking fresh. Once the flowers are done, cut the plant back hard to rejuvenate it. New leaves appear quickly and stay attractive for the rest of the season. Divide in early fall or after blooming when the clump gets crowded.

History: Opal was found in 1986 by Elisabeth Cupitt in Luddenden, near Halifax in West Yorkshire, England, as a seedling from open-pollinated Pulmonaria officinalis selections. It was introduced by Blooms of Bressingham as 'Ocupol' and holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Final Thoughts: Deer resistant, low maintenance and a favourite of the first bees and butterflies. Set it under the trees. BLING FOR THE FOREST FLOOR.