Plant Patent Applied For. EU24135.
Easily the most handsome and prolific lungwort we have seen, 'Silver Bouquet' awes with larger and more abundant blooms than others, held just above silver leaves mottled and watermarked with bright green. A perfect choice for the front of the shade border, this low-growing perennial will spread agreeably over time, increasing its flower show as well as its elegant rosettes of foliage.
'Silver Bouquet' reaches just 7 inches high when out of bloom, the long, pointed leaves forming dense layers of color. Each leaf is individually marked and spotted, pointing up and out from the central cluster. The foliage typically unfurls in late winter or early spring along with the blooms, which are carried in perfect nosegays opening from dark buds. The single, upturned little blooms open a deep rosy-pink, then mature through shades of purple into pure blue before passing. Every "nosegay" contains flowers of different ages, for a splendid multicolor effect unlike any other in the shade garden.
This Pulmonaria will spread up to 20 inches wide quite quickly, but it flourishes best in specific conditions. The soil moisture level should be high and uniform, but the drainage needs to be excellent, especially in winter, when wet conditions can intensify. And through the warm months, the roots should remain cool. A heavy mulch, applied in spring and reapplied in summer, is recommended. But even if the plant struggles in hot summers, it can be cut back and will reappear, invigorated, with no harm done.
The best growth and color occur when 'Silver Bouquet' is planted in partial shade. Full sun is recommended only in the Pacific Northwest. It makes a nice shade border foreground planting for Astilbe and Tricyrtis, which share its love of moist soil and add summer and fall, respectively, to the bloom seasons. Hosta and Hardy Ferns are also good backdrops to 'Silver Bouquet,' emphasizing its distinctively different foliage shape. We highly recommend this distinctively different shade perennial. Zones 4-9.
