Pulmonaria saccharata
| Pulmonaria saccharata | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Pulmonaria saccharata (common name: jerusalem sage)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring or autumn or after flowering in early summer if the soil is not too dry[1]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Cultivation: Grows well in any moderately good soil including heavy clay soils[2][3]. Prefers full to part shade in a moist humus rich soil[1]. Succeeds in the sunless shade of buildings[1]. Dislikes dry soils[1]. Plants growing in shady positions tolerate drought if the soil is rich in humus[4]. The leaves tend to wilt in hot weather when the plant is grown in full sun[4].
Hardy to about -20°c[5].
A very ornamental plant[6], it is semi-evergreen, forming small over-wintering rosettes[1].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[6].
A valuable early nectar source for bees[1].
Plants seen growing in dappled shade at Hilliers Arboretum in April 1999 were self-sowing quite freely[K].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[1]. There are many named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[1].
Range: Central and southern Europe.
Habitat: Woods and scrub[5]. Shaded positions in deep humus-rich soils[1].
Edibility: The plant is said to be used as a spice[7][8]. No more details are given.
Usage: A good ground cover plant for a shady position[9][10]. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way[11].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: P. picta.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Brown, George. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chatto, Beth. The Damp Garden. Dent, 1982.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Napier, Elspeth. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells, 1989.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.