Pulmonaria Diana Clare

'Diana Clare' grows in the shady area where our septic tank drains, so you can imagine how happy it is in that rich, moist soil. Selecting a position for this long-lived perennial is really the only tricky thing about growing it -- once you find the right spot, your work is done, and it goes about its glorious color show without making a fuss. Unlike other Pulmonarias, 'Diana Clare' does not even want to be cut back each year -- just leave her alone and she will flourish, eventually reaching 8 to 10 inches tall and spreading 18 inches wide!

My favorite part of this plant is the foliage, which brightens the murky shade three seasons out of every year, but I think I'm an exception to the rule. Most gardeners love the late-winter and early-spring blooms of deep violet-blue. Just ½-inch wide, they arise in little clusters of a half dozen or so reaching 1½ inches across. One of the absolute earliest perennials to arise in spring, 'Diana Clare' blooms with the Crocus and is still around to see the Daffodils erupt! Such a nice way to begin the garden year!

And 'Diana Clare' is more than just a pretty face. This Lungwort (isn't that a ghastly common name?!) is very robust, tolerating heat and untroubled by rabbits and deer. It quickly forms a multi-crowned plant, giving you more bloom shoots than you'd hoped for. Perfect as a groundcover in the shade or an accent planting in any woodland setting!

Space plants 15 to 18 inches apart and get ready to start spring before winter is over next year! Zones 4-8.