Pulmonaria rubra 'David Ward'
Christmas cowslip, Red lungwort
- Height × spread
- 0.25m × 0.46m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Winter, Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a distinguished lungwort, when grown well; there is nothing in the Pulmonaria world quite like it. The large, oblong, leaves are pale-green with a broad, irregular white margin. The foliage gives a pronounced effect of brightness and is particularly effective when planted alongside a path, shaded in summer with deciduous trees. The flowers are a brownish-coral shade, carried in green calyces, attractive, though not always borne as freely as in some other cultivars. It flowers in late winter and spring. This plant needs some care in cultivation. It is susceptible to leaf scorch so requires a site that is lightly shaded throughout summer, except, perhaps for a short spell at the start and end of the day. The soil should always be a little moist as it soon begins to look stressed and unhealthy in dry conditions.
- Flower colour
- Red
- Foliage colour
- Green, White
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.25m
- Spread
- 0.46m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Winter, Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Dry and shady soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Deer
- Flowers susceptible to deer
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
AutumnNow
Autumn - late · Planting
Divide every 3 years
Physically divide clumps every three years, or the plant will flower and grow less well. Discard or give away unwanted portions, or replant them to make a larger display. Plants can sometimes take a while to recover from this procedure.
Spring
Spring · Outdoors
Apply an organic mulch
Apply a 5-10cm layer of organic mulch around the plant in spring to reduce weeds, retain moisture and keep roots cool in summer. Leave a 10cm gap between the stem and the mulch to prevent stem rot. Before applying mulch, clear the area of weeds and water if it hasn't rained recently. Use biodegradable material such as garden compost, well-rotted manure, leaf mould or bark chippings as mulch.
A mulch is a covering that can: protect the soil surface from rain, heat and cold; deter weeds; provide nutrients. Organic indicates that material has vegetative origin e.g. manure, compost. Synthetics i.e. plastics, or stones are often called mulches.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Planting
Prune after flowering
When the plant has finished flowering, remove old leaves.
Found in
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