Yes it's already that time of year when they are subtly making their presence known. I'm refering to pulmonarias or lungwort, also known as 'Adam and Eve', 'Soldiers and Sailors', and 'Bethlehem Sage' are one of my favourite late winter/early spring flowers. As well having flowers which are bee magnets their foliage is equally desirable coming in a variety of shades of soft apple green, darker greens, silvers and as well as spotty dotty. Today's 'In A Vase On A Monday' is a trio of three pulmonarias - one that I can't put a name to, 'Rubra Redstart' which is now really going over and finally 'Victorian Brooch' which leapt in to my basket last week when I was supposed to be seed potato shopping. They prefer moist, partially shaded conditions and respond well to a shearing in late spring producing a second flush of foliage. They are excellent companion plants for snowdrops, hellebores and little daffs. I don't think that they will last long in a vase but still it's good to be able to study them at close quarters albeit briefly.
Thank you as always to the lovely Cathy over 'At Rambling In The Garden' for hosting.
P.S. Many apologies to those of you who tried to comment last week and who were initially thwarted (both Blogger and Wordpress users). I really don't know what's going on but changes here are afoot! Watch this space.
Yes commenting was a pain last week - can't remember how I did it in the end. Perhaps just posted under my little used Google persona. I love pulmonaria but have never heard them called 'Adam and Eve' or 'Soldiers and Sailors - new to me! I bought Victorian brooch a couple of years back and it made a big clump really quickly so you made a good purchase. Let's hope they last longer in the vase than you think they might - and thanks for sharing them
ReplyDeleteThey surprised me Cathy by looking good until yesterday :)
DeleteI also love Pulmonaria and this is a lovely sight Anna! I can see new leaves on mine but no flowers yet. I didn't know they like being pruned, so will definitely try that out. :)
ReplyDeleteShearing the leaves is one of those tasks that's productive to do if you remember Cathy and I don't always :)
DeleteI've always liked Pulmonaria but it doesn't like Southern California. Best wishes with the blog problem - my comments often disappear on the first try too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Kris. I appreciate that pulmonarias and Southern California would not be compatible but then there's so much that you can grow that we can't :) Many thanks also for your good wishes with sorting out the blog issues. My replies to comments are often eaten up at the first attempt too!
DeleteI love Pulmonaria but have never heard it called by those other names - mine are not yet in flower so thank you for sharing yours Anna.
ReplyDeleteI'm fascinated by tboth he common and local names given to plants Julie. I have one or two plant folklore books which is where I've come across the other names. Hope that yours are are out soon.
DeleteA lovely vase, beautiful colours!
ReplyDeleteOh it's good to see you popping in Anca. Thanks for visiting and commenting :)
DeleteThe mix of colours of flowers on one plant is fascinating.
ReplyDeleteIt's is indeed Sue and it's much fun to watch how sometimes the colours change as the flowers mature.
DeleteSuch a lovely taste of spring! Mine are just peeping out of the ground.
ReplyDeleteYes spring is definitely on the way Peter. I hope that you don't have to wait long for yours to show flowers :)
DeleteThey do have such pretty flowers; I love seeing them as, of course, they don't like the conditions here.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you can enjoy mine albeit from a distance Christina.
DeleteI was thwarted too, but never mind a bit belatedly, I would like to say well done for highlighting the lovely pulmonaria. However many named varieties you start off with, they seed around prolifically and all their offspring are pretty.
ReplyDelete