Pulmonaria saccharata explained

Pulmonaria saccharata, the Bethlehem lungwort or Bethlehem sage, is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, native to France and Italy. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial which is closely related to the common lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis). Growing to 10cm (00inches) tall by 60cm (20inches) wide, it has lance-shaped leaves with white confluent spots, and pink or white flowers in spring.[1]

The specific epithet saccharata means sugared, and refers to the spotted surface of the leaves.[2]

Cultivation

Pulmonaria saccharata is hardy in all of Europe down to -20C. It prefers shaded, nutrient-rich, moist, well-drained soil. Numerous cultivars have been developed, of which the following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-

Notes and References

  1. Book: RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. 2008. Dorling Kindersley. United Kingdom. 978-1405332965. 1136.
  2. Book: Harrison, Lorraine. RHS Latin for gardeners. 2012. Mitchell Beazley. United Kingdom. 9781845337315. 224.
  3. Web site: RHS Plant Selector - Pulmonaria saccharata Argentea Group. 17 February 2021.
  4. Web site: Pulmonaria 'Cotton Cool' . RHS . 17 February 2021.
  5. Web site: RHS Plant Selector - Pulmonaria saccharata 'Lewis Palmer'. 17 February 2021.
  6. Web site: RHS Plant Selector - Pulmonaria saccharata 'Sissinghurst White'. 17 February 2021.