Longkruid (Pulmonaria saccharata)

Pulmonaria saccharata

Engels: Bethlehem sage

perennialBoraginaceaeWintergroen

Longkruid (Pulmonaria saccharata) (Pulmonaria saccharata) is a evergreen perennial from the Boraginaceae family that grows up to 35cm tall. This plant thrives in partial shade to shade and requires low maintenance. Blooms in early spring and spring with pink, blue, purple flowers and attracts bees.

Hoogte

25–35 cm

Breedte

40–60 cm

Zonligging

partial shade, full shade

Waterbehoefte

moderate

Grondsoort

loam, clay soil

Onderhoud

low maintenance

Bloeitijd

early spring, spring

Bloemkleuren

pink, blue, purple

Ecologische waarde

Trekt bijen aan

Verzorgingskalender

Taak	Jan	Feb	Mrt	Apr	Mei	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Okt	Nov	Dec
🌱Planten
✂️Snoeien
💧Bemesten

Care tips

Planting

Pulmonaria saccharata thrives in partial to full shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens, shady borders, or beneath deciduous trees and shrubs. It tolerates a range of soils but performs best in moisture-retentive loam or clay that doesn't dry out completely in summer. Avoid hot, dry positions where the foliage will scorch and wilt. Plant in March, April, September, or October when the soil is workable and temperatures are moderate. Autumn planting is often preferable as it allows roots to establish before winter, but spring planting works well if you water attentively through the first summer. Space plants 40 cm apart to allow for their eventual spread of 40–60 cm; they will gradually form attractive clumps. Prepare the planting area by digging in plenty of organic matter—garden compost or well-rotted manure—to improve moisture retention and soil structure, especially if your soil is light or sandy. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, set the plant at the same depth it was growing in its pot, and firm the soil gently around the roots to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and encourage root contact. Apply a 5 cm layer of mulch around the base—leaf mould, composted bark, or garden compost—to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Keep the mulch clear of the crown to prevent rot. Water regularly during the first growing season until the plant is established, particularly if rainfall is scarce. Pulmonaria is evergreen, so the foliage remains visible year-round once settled in.

Pruning

Pulmonaria saccharata doesn't require traditional pruning in the way shrubs do, but it benefits greatly from tidying after flowering to keep plants looking fresh and to encourage healthy new foliage. The main task is removing spent flower stems and tired leaves in June or July, once the spring display has finished. After the pink, blue, and purple flowers fade, cut back the old flowering stems at the base using secateurs or garden shears. At the same time, assess the foliage. The spotted, silver-marked leaves that make pulmonaria so attractive can become tatty, mildewed, or scorched by early summer, especially if conditions have been dry or the plant is in too much sun. Shear back all the old foliage to ground level; this may seem drastic, but the plant will quickly produce a fresh flush of clean, healthy leaves that will look good for the rest of the season and through winter. Use clean, sharp secateurs or shears to make the job easier and reduce disease risk. Dispose of any mildewed or diseased leaves rather than composting them. If your pulmonaria looks pristine in early summer, you can leave the foliage intact and simply remove the spent flower stems, but most gardeners find a complete shear-back in June or July keeps plants vigorous and attractive. Water well after cutting back and apply a light feed to support the new growth.

Maintenance

Pulmonaria saccharata is a low-maintenance perennial once established, but consistent moisture is key to success. Water regularly during dry spells, especially in spring and summer, as the foliage will wilt and scorch if the soil dries out. Clay and loam soils usually retain enough moisture, but check weekly in prolonged dry weather. Reduce watering in autumn and winter when growth slows, though the evergreen leaves still benefit from some moisture. Feed in March or April as new growth begins. Scatter a general-purpose granular fertiliser such as blood, fish, and bone around the base of each clump, or apply a layer of well-rotted compost or manure as a mulch. This provides slow-release nutrients and improves soil structure. A second light feed after the June/July cut-back can encourage strong regrowth, but it's not essential. Refresh the mulch layer annually in early spring to suppress weeds and conserve moisture. Pulmonaria is hardy to zone 4, so overwintering is straightforward in temperate Europe; the foliage persists through mild winters and provides valuable ground cover. In very harsh winters some leaves may become damaged, but plants recover quickly in spring. The main pest issue is powdery mildew, which appears as white patches on leaves, particularly in dry conditions or overcrowded plantings. Good air circulation, adequate watering, and the post-flowering shear-back in June or July all help prevent it. Slugs and snails occasionally nibble young leaves in spring; use organic pellets or barriers if damage is severe. Otherwise, pulmonaria is remarkably trouble-free.