Bethlehem sage in July: monthly care

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.