Welcome to our new feature, we will endeavour to post a new plant from our range each month.

Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash'

Pulmonarias are a group of popular shade loving, woodland perennials. Leaves are hairy and often marked with silvery markings that sometimes join together to make silvery windows.  The variety ‘Raspberry Splash’ has rosy pink flowers on upright stems holding the flowers well above the attractively spotted, semi-evergreen foliage. Flowering can start as early as February and can last well into late spring.  They grow happily on most soils but dislike waterlogged. They will do best with plenty of humus in the soil so mulching annually with leaf mould or garden compost will help keep them healthy.  Adequate moisture in summer helps to prevent powdery mildew later in the season.  Aphids and slugs can sometimes affect plants but are rarely a major problem. Pulmonarias are very hardy and easily coped with the recent harsh winters.  An essential ground cover plant for difficult shady areas.

There is plenty of colour coming on now with a few sunny days we have seen many of the spring bulbs burst open providing a reward for the busy bees and other pollinators looking to feast after the colder days earlier in February. With more warm weather forecast this is the time to do the all important preparation so as to make the most of those garden plots this Spring and Summer.

A sea of Crocus