PULMONARIA. Lungwort. Europe, widespread. A small group of clumping perennials, unlikely-looking allies of the forget-me-nots. They have crowns of large, stalked, pointed-oval leaves which are often spotted with white. Bell- to funnel shaped blossoms are carried in clusters above the foliage in spring—and often, near the coast, again in fall. Colors range from white to deep true blue and various shades of red and pink. Light to medium shade, reasonably well drained, non-alkaline soil, and moderate watering. Hardy to 0^oF or less.

rubra ‘Redstart’. A robust plant with broad, floppy, light green leaves. It produces an abundance of 3/4” coral red blossoms in early spring. The leaves expand considerably later in the season and can smother smaller, more delicate neighbors if they are planted too close.

saccharata. Bethlehem sage. This is one of the most ornamental species, forming compact clumps. Each shoot is a crown of long, oval to nearly strap shaped leaves. The background is dark green, but the leaves are heavily spotted with white or silvery grey. Bell shaped blossoms are clustered at the ends of 8-12" stems in spring, opening blue to white from pinkish buds. ‘E. B. Anderson’ is a rather dwarf selection with vivid, true blue flowers. A more robust clone with broad leaves and pure white flowers is ‘Sissinghurst White’. ‘Dora Bielefeld’ and ‘Pierre’s Pure Pink’ combine broad, grey-spotted leaves with pink flowers. We are sorting out several recent additions. ‘Mrs. Kittle’ has leaves up to 8" long, mostly covered by irregular grey blotches, and pale pink flowers. ‘Reginald Kaye’ has even larger, broader leaves with a similar pattern, adding many smaller grey specks; the flowers are violet.‘Smokey Blue’ has leaves up to 1’ long, mostly dark green with regular patterns of grey spots. The flowers are light blue, deepening in color with colder weather.