Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash'

Like a celebrated artist's creation, Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash' evokes a lovely, layored image, complete with fantastic raspberry-pink flowers and amazing large green leaves decorated with vivid white spots that look as if they're still fresh off the paint brush. Don't worry about those pesky slugs that gobble the leaves of other sages.

Blooming for several weeks in late spring, Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash' is a star of the shade garden. The sage's hanging clusters of bell-shaped flowers may take you by surprise with their rich, unique palate of colors.

But don't overlook that remarkable foliage. Large and somewhat fuzzy, it remains fresh and inviting through fall. Just keep the soil moist and well-drained and Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash' will be just fine. Don't fret about powdery mildew infections, either. Not a problem with this sage.

It's almost impossible to take the shine off Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash'. It can tolerate most conditions, including full shade. A child of Pulmonaria longifolia 'Bertram Anderson' and Pulmonaria 'Leopard' and introduced in 2001, it's become a popular sensation. It reaches 12 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide. Cut it back after the blooms pass for fuller, more dense foliage the rest of the season.