Pulmonaria saccharata ‘Leopard’

Position: Partial shade to full shade

Flowering period: Late winter to Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30cm

Eventual Spread: 60cm

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Boraginaceae

Pulmonaria saccharata ‘Leopard’, commonly known as Lungwort, Bethlehem Sage or Jerusalem Sage, is a semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. The species, Pulmonaria saccharata, is native to France and Italy. In its native habitat it grows in woodlands and woodland edges. Pulmonaria saccharata ‘Leopard’ has dark green leaves with silver blotches and their upper surface is hairy. Its pale purple to deep pink flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, including bees. Its roots are rhizomes which aid its spread. Pulmonaria saccharata ‘Leopard’ may be used as an effective ground cover perennial suitable for woodland or understory planting. It requires little maintenance and large clumps may be lifted and divided in autumn.

Pulmonaria saccharata ‘Leopard’ (08/08/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Pulmonaria saccharata ‘Leopard’ Leaf (08/08/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Landscape Architecture

Symphytum grandiflorum ‘Hidcote Pink’

Position: Full sun to shade

Flowering period: Spring to summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 40cm

Eventual Spread: 50cm

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Boraginaceae

Symphytum grandiflorum ‘Hidcote Pink’, commonly known as Creeping Comfrey ‘Hidcote Pink’, is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming, slowly spreading habit. Its has large mid green leaves are slightly hairy and up to 25cm long. Symphytum grandiflorum is native to the Caucasus region and in its native habit it grows in woodlands and woodland edges. Its pale pink flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, particularly bees. Symphytum grandiflorum ‘Hidcote Pink’ is able to spread to form an effective ground cover plant via its rhizomatous roots. Once introduced this plant may prove difficult to remove.

Symphytum grandiflorum ‘Hidcote Pink’ (05/05/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Symphytum grandiflorum ‘Hidcote Pink’ Flower (05/05/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Landscape Architecture

Hydrophyllum virginianum

Hydrophyllum virginianum (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Dappled shade

Flowering period: Late spring to early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 60cm

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Boraginaceae

Hydrophyllum virginianum is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a spreading habit. Its dark green leaves often have white spots, are pinnate with serrate margins and up to 5 leaflets, 15cm long and 10cm across. Its pale purple/ white flowers are up to 12mm long, appear terminally as dense cymes which are up to 5cm across and 10cm long. Its roots have rhizomes which aids its spread.

Hydrophyllum virginianum Flower (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Hydrophyllum virginianum, commonly known as Virginia Waterleaf or Eastern Waterleaf, is native to east North America. In its native habitat it grows in deciduous woodlands and clearings.

The etymological root of the binomial name Hydrophyllum is derived from the Greek hydro meaning ‘water’ and phylum meaning ‘leaf’. Virginianum is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from Virginia, USA’.

Hydrophyllum virginianum Leaf (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Hydrophyllum virginianum useful as a deciduous ground cover perennial with attractive late spring to early summer flowers.

Ecologically, Hydrophyllum virginianum flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, including bees.

Hydrophyllum virginianum prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Hydrophyllum virginianum requires little maintenance.



Landscape Architecture