Pulmonaria ‘Blue Ensign’

Pulmonaria ‘Blue Ensign’ Pulmonaria, commonly called Lungwort, is one of the first perennials to bloom in the shade garden.  Flowers and leaves contribute a lovely display spring through fall.  Flowers can be pink, blue or white.  Most varieties have blooms that start out pink and then turn blue.  Although this transformation is entertaining for us, its purpose is a message to pollinators.  Once the flower has been pollinated, it turns blue to direct potential winged visitors to pink flowers that are still rich in nectar and awaiting pollination.  Fascinating!   Several years ago I discovered ‘Blue Ensign’ and my heart leaped with joy when the enchanting, clear blue flowers appeared.  This cultivar starts out a riveting blue right from the start.  Its elongated narrow leaves are a solid, rich green, in contrast to most varieties with white spotted foliage.  Another perk of ‘Blue Ensign’ is its resistance to powdery mildew that tends to affect other Lungworts.   Are you wondering how Pulmonaria got the catchy common name of Lungwort? When the Bubonic Plague (‘Black Death’) swept across Europe in the 1300’s, Pulmonaria was used along with another herb, wormwood, as a possible cure. Pulmonaria was also sometimes referred to as “Herb of Mary” and used to supposedly prove if a person was a witch or not. I bet it was a hot seller at Halloween.  Pulmonaria is hardy in Zones 3 – 9.