By Ann Lapides
A charming shade perennial, Twinkle Toes Lungwort, Pulmonaria, will make you want to frolic with joy with its periwinkle-blue spring flowers and unique foliage. Starting in mid-spring dainty blue flowers cover a low mound of fascinating speckled foliage. After the flowers fade, you can enjoy its dark green leaves that are delightfully sprinkled with silver.
Named the 2022 Perennial Of The Year for its many outstanding qualities.
Use Lungwort in shade and woodland gardens. Its magnificent foliage makes an especially attractive display when planted among hostas, ferns, and bleeding hearts. Many consider its flowers among the most brilliantly colored blossoms of all perennials. Some say Lungwort was named due to its resemblance to the body part, but that’s not correct, it was used in the past to treat different lung ailments. Easy to grow and even thrives in dry shade.
Plant in shade to full shade in well-drained soil. Amend soil with compost or other organic matter, and to get roots off to a fast start add a good starter fertilizer like Bio-tone Starter Plus when planting. Although tolerant of drought, plants will do best with consistent moisture. Dividing plants every three to five years will keep plants vigorous. It is best to divide plants immediately after flowering or in early fall.
Find Twinkle Toes at Sugar Creek Gardens plant nursery in Kirkwood and online at sugarcreekgardens.com.