Pulmonaria Twinkle Toes
Pulmonaria 'Twinkle Toes' photo courtesy of Walters Gardens
Lungwort, Bethlehem Sage

Pulmonaria 'Twinkle Toes' is a beautiful shade perennial with impressive spring flowers and unique foliage. Starting in mid-spring shortly after Hellebores are finished booming, dainty light periwinkle blue flowers cover a low, mounded habit. After the flowers fade, you can enjoy its dark green leaves that are lightly sprinkled with silver. This plant will thrive in part shade to full shade as long as you provide moisture. Pulmonaria is an underused perennial that grows well in shady gardens. It is especially attractive when planted among hostas, ferns, and brunneras. Its flowers are among the most brilliantly colored blossoms of all perennials.

  • Height: 30-36 cm (12-14 in)
  • Spread: 41 - 46 cm (16 - 18 in)
  • Cold Hardiness: Zone 3-9
  • Sun or Shade: part to full shade
  • Bloom Time: late spring
  • Leaf Colour: dark green sprinkled with silver
  • Bloom Colour: periwinkle blue
  • Critter Resistance: deer and rabbits
  • Nature Attraction: hummingbirds and bees

Growing and Maintenance Tips

Pulmonarias do best in a highly organic, moisture retentive soil. Dry conditions can lead to powdery mildew and leaf scorch. Clean up in the spring by removing old or damaged foliage from the previous year. If plants decline or are affected by powdery mildew, prune them back to ground level and fresh foliage will replace the damaged foliage. Pulmonarias spread slowly by creeping rhizomes, forming a nice patch of foliage.

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