Lungwort has recently become popular in home gardens. Previously, it mainly grew in forests. Plant breeders have created many varieties with different traits. Now, lungwort is a favorite for easily enhancing gardens and flowerbeds.
Lungwort is a striking herbaceous perennial with unique features. It has strong rhizomes covered in brown scales. Its upright shoots are slightly fuzzy. Soft, colorful leaves in shades of green grow on the shoots.
Plant height varies by species, from 10 to 80 cm. Sugar lungwort can reach 25-30 cm. Medicinal lungwort only grows to about 10 cm.
Leaf size is related to its placement on the plant. Lower leaves have longer stems. Leaves get smaller as they grow up the shoot. Lower leaves can be 60 cm long. Upper leaves are usually less than 5 cm. Flowers of different colors bloom on the stems. After they fade, shiny black seeds form at the base.
The flowers are bell-shaped. Interestingly, a single flower cluster may have different colors: purple, red, and blue. Color depends on the plant's acidity. Young flowers start pink, changing to blue as they grow.
This plant is a beautiful addition to gardens. Lungwort is valued by many gardeners for its qualities.