Lungwort 'Sissinghurst White' in May: monthly care

Pulmonaria 'Sissinghurst White' has moderate water needs and dislikes drying out, particularly during spring and summer. Water regularly during dry spells, aiming to keep the soil consistently moist but not saturated. In hot weather or on free-draining soils, check weekly and water deeply rather than little and often. In autumn and winter, natural rainfall is usually sufficient, but don't let the soil become bone-dry even in dormancy. Feed in March or April as new growth begins. Scatter a general-purpose granular fertiliser (such as blood, fish and bone or Growmore) around the base of the plant, or apply a 3–5 cm top-dressing of well-rotted compost or leaf mould. This supports healthy foliage and flowering. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which promote soft, mildew-prone growth. A spring mulch also helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Pulmonaria is fully hardy in zones 4–8 and requires no special winter protection in temperate Europe. Leave the crown undisturbed; it will reshoot reliably each spring. The main pest and disease issue is powdery mildew, which causes a white, dusty coating on leaves, particularly in dry conditions or where air circulation is poor. Prevent it by mulching to retain soil moisture, spacing plants properly, and cutting back affected foliage promptly in June or July. Slugs and snails occasionally nibble young leaves in spring; use organic pellets, barriers, or hand-picking if damage is severe. Otherwise, this is a low-maintenance, long-lived perennial that rewards minimal intervention with reliable early-spring flowers and handsome foliage.