I planted various cultivars of pulmonaria, including “Margery Fish”, about 30 years ago. It grows lustily here in US zone 6a in heavy clay soil in shade. Too well, in fact, because it’s invasive for me. I enjoyed its flowers and leaves for about 15 years and then one year I developed contact dermatitis which blisters my skin. I’ve read that’s due to its hairy stems, but I don’t have any reaction to brunnera, which I also grow. I do have 10 year old scars, however. It’s a constant effort for my husband to eliminate it from my garden. I really dislike the plant.
So interesting, thank you! It's funny isn't it? When something doesn't take for you, you yearn for it to grow away lustily, but when you hear from someone for whom it does, you wonder if you might secretly be blessed! It sounds like for you pulmonarias are behaving as they should, if a bit too lustily; I'll continue to experiment in the hope of discovering why mine are being quite so stubborn!
I've tried P. 'Opal' and 'Blue Ensign' in my borders and lost both, but P. 'Sissinghurst White' and P. 'Diana Clare' thrive in my Hackney garden, so perhaps it depends on the type of Pulmonaria as well as the amount of sunlight?
That's odd Jack, how do other self seeders do for you? Sometimes I've found that I'm the problem with certain plants. I'm not the tidiest of gardeners but periodically I have a manic weeding session, and have found that if it's timed wrong, this can have serious implications for the population of some things I'd hoped would spread themselves about!
I adore pulmonaria but cannot get them to grow in my garden. As far as I am concerned, they are a beautiful annual. My husband once took me to Margery Fish’s garden as a birthday treat and we came away with a plant that sported the most fabulous blue flowers. I’d failed before with shade so I gave this one full sun. It seemed fine and actually lived for two years, a record. Last year, come spring, it had disappeared. 🙄
My Pulmonaria has survived storm x y and z , the cats, my big foot 😆🤭 and they keep coming back. We love them! Good luck!
Ooh I need some of this pulmonaria magic!
I planted various cultivars of pulmonaria, including “Margery Fish”, about 30 years ago. It grows lustily here in US zone 6a in heavy clay soil in shade. Too well, in fact, because it’s invasive for me. I enjoyed its flowers and leaves for about 15 years and then one year I developed contact dermatitis which blisters my skin. I’ve read that’s due to its hairy stems, but I don’t have any reaction to brunnera, which I also grow. I do have 10 year old scars, however. It’s a constant effort for my husband to eliminate it from my garden. I really dislike the plant.
So interesting, thank you! It's funny isn't it? When something doesn't take for you, you yearn for it to grow away lustily, but when you hear from someone for whom it does, you wonder if you might secretly be blessed! It sounds like for you pulmonarias are behaving as they should, if a bit too lustily; I'll continue to experiment in the hope of discovering why mine are being quite so stubborn!
I do wish you luck. It’s a lovely plant.
Nice pics. Best of luck.
Thanks Bee! Fingers crossed!
I've tried P. 'Opal' and 'Blue Ensign' in my borders and lost both, but P. 'Sissinghurst White' and P. 'Diana Clare' thrive in my Hackney garden, so perhaps it depends on the type of Pulmonaria as well as the amount of sunlight?
I'm sure you're right. I think I might have to plant loads!
I am wishing you luck
Why thank you! 🙏🏼
It is a strangeness. For you, pulmonaria is the one that keeps getting away, whilst I cannot get borage to seed about the place.
That's odd Jack, how do other self seeders do for you? Sometimes I've found that I'm the problem with certain plants. I'm not the tidiest of gardeners but periodically I have a manic weeding session, and have found that if it's timed wrong, this can have serious implications for the population of some things I'd hoped would spread themselves about!
Timing might indeed be the problem. I have higher hopes for this year of trying to commit to a more slovenly approach.
I adore pulmonaria but cannot get them to grow in my garden. As far as I am concerned, they are a beautiful annual. My husband once took me to Margery Fish’s garden as a birthday treat and we came away with a plant that sported the most fabulous blue flowers. I’d failed before with shade so I gave this one full sun. It seemed fine and actually lived for two years, a record. Last year, come spring, it had disappeared. 🙄
Some plants just take a dislike to us.