Lungwort / Bethlehem sage
Pulmonaria saccharata
Lungwort / Bethlehem sage (Pulmonaria saccharata) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 8–12 in tall and 12–24 in wide, needs medium water, and prefers dappled sun to deep shade. Silver-spotted foliage; pink-to-blue early spring blooms. Best in moist shade.
On the CSU listmedium water8–12 in tall and 12–24 in wideZones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Mark Richman, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Enrico Tomschke, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: no rights reserved
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in dappled sun; tolerates deep shade. Flowers best with more sun.
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- low
- Salt tolerance
- low
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Site uses
- Cool north foundations, Dry shade under conifers
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 8–12 in tall and 12–24 in wide
- Growth habit
- Clumping
- Planting spacing
- ~17–24 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early spring, mid spring
- Bloom color
- pink, blue
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Winter cover
- Bare in winter
What it will do to your yard
- Foot traffic
- No foot traffic
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Using Lungwort / Bethlehem sage as a groundcover
Lungwort / Bethlehem sage grows in tidy clumps. It fills in to a moderately dense cover. It dies back in winter, leaving the ground bare until spring.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Lungwort / Bethlehem sage good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Lungwort / Bethlehem sage is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Lungwort / Bethlehem sage get?
- It matures to about 8–12 in tall and 12–24 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Lungwort / Bethlehem sage?
- Space Lungwort / Bethlehem sage about 17 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 24 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Lungwort / Bethlehem sage hardy on the Front Range?
- Lungwort / Bethlehem sage is hardy in USDA 3–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Lungwort / Bethlehem sage need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- Is Lungwort / Bethlehem sage native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Lungwort / Bethlehem sage deer-resistant?
- Lungwort / Bethlehem sage is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Lungwort / Bethlehem sage a good firewise plant near the house?
- Lungwort / Bethlehem sage is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Can you walk on Lungwort / Bethlehem sage?
- Lungwort / Bethlehem sage isn't meant for foot traffic, site it where you won't need to walk across it.
- Will Lungwort / Bethlehem sage spread or stay put?
- Lungwort / Bethlehem sage is clumping. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Lungwort / Bethlehem sage stay green in winter?
- No, Lungwort / Bethlehem sage dies back in winter and leaves the ground bare until it returns in spring.
