Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Pretty in Pink Lungwort: Rose-Pink Spring Clusters for Shade
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Pretty in Pink lungwort fills spring shade with large, nodding clusters of clear, bright rose-pink flowers. Most lungworts shift from pink to blue as their flowers age. This one does not; it stays pink from bud to finish. After bloom, a low, wide mound of dark green leaves lightly flecked with silver keeps the spot fresh through summer.
Like all lungworts, it wants shade and moist soil, which rules out the lavender bed. Its home is the shady part of the same garden: under trees, along a shaded path, beside ferns and hostas.
Pretty in Pink at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Pulmonaria 'Pretty in Pink' |
| Flowers | Bright rose pink, funnel-shaped, in large nodding clusters |
| Foliage | Dark green with light to moderate silver speckling |
| Size | 14 to 16 inches tall, 24 to 28 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late April, peaks mid-May |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Part to full shade |
| Deer | Resistant; rabbits usually pass it by |
Spring pink while the lavender sleeps
In late April, lavender is just beginning to green up. Under the trees, Pretty in Pink is already in full color. That timing makes it a nice part of a whole-property plan: shade beds carry the spring show, and the sunny lavender takes over in summer. Plant it in groups of three or more so the wide mounds knit into a groundcover.
Its silver-flecked leaves tie the two areas together visually, a quiet nod to lavender's silver foliage. Pair it with hostas, ferns and other shade lovers, and use the Companion Plant Planner to sort out which spots are truly shady.
What it needs
- Shade from midday on: leaves scorch and wilt in hot afternoon sun or dry soil.
- Moist soil: humus-rich and evenly moist. It tolerates dry spells poorly.
- Mildew: humid summers favor powdery mildew on lungworts, especially when roots are dry. This cultivar was selected for good mildew resistance, and steady water helps too.
- Slugs: they can chew the leaves in damp weather.
A simple yearly routine
- Early spring: cut away tattered old leaves before the flowers come up.
- After bloom: cut back the flower stems so fresh leaves fill in.
- Summer: water during dry spells.
- Early fall: divide crowded clumps if needed.
- Winter: very hardy in Michigan; leaves often persist into early winter. Avoid sites that stay waterlogged.
About the plug tray
Pretty in Pink is offered as a 72-cell plug tray, which makes it practical to underplant a group of trees or edge a long shaded path. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
How is it different from Pink-a-Blue lungwort?
Pink-a-Blue flowers open pink and turn blue, so both colors show at once. Pretty in Pink stays rose pink throughout.
Can I use lungwort as a cut flower?
Not really. The flowers are short-stemmed and do not last in a vase. They are best enjoyed in the garden.
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