Growing guide · Perennials

Pulmonaria 'Dark Vader'

How to grow Lungwort 'Dark Vader'.

Silver spots. Joins the dark side early.

Light
Part sun, shade
Water
Moderate
Zones
4–8
Size
8–12 in. tall, 12–18 in. wide
Spacing
12–18 in. apart.
Pets
Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
Low lungwort with dark green leaves heavily spotted silver and clusters of pink and violet-blue flowers

Light

Part shade to full shade. Sun scorches the leaves.

Water

Keep it moist the first year. Established plants handle some dry shade.

Planting and soil

Plant in spring or fall, crown level with the soil, in soil with plenty of organic matter.

Feeding

Compost in spring.

Pruning

Cut flower stems after bloom. Tidy old leaves in early spring.

Through the year

Flowers March to April. New leaves follow and hold until hard frost.

If something's off

Powdery mildew in dry, stuffy spots; cut damaged leaves and fresh ones follow. Wilting in a heat wave is normal; it recovers once it cools.

Plays well with

Plant it with friends.

Hosta 'Patriot'
HostaHosta 'Patriot' from $35.99
Japanese Painted Fern 'Pictum'
Athyrium niponicum var. pictumJapanese Painted Fern 'Pictum' from $29.99
Sweet Woodruff
Galium odoratumSweet Woodruff from $30.99

Why we stock it: Early flowers for the first bees of spring and good-looking leaves the rest of the year.

That's everything we know about growing it. Thanks for reading.

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