Celebration Lungwort

Celebration Lungwort (Pulmonaria 'Celebration')

Celebration Lungwort is a shade-loving perennial that brings early spring color and long-lasting foliage contrast to part-shade gardens. It forms a neat clump that helps woodland beds look fuller and more finished, even when other perennials are just emerging. The spring flowers open in shades that shift from pink to blue, creating a soft, changing display that adds life to low-light spaces. If you want a dependable, groundcover-style perennial that keeps working after bloom, Celebration is a strong choice.

Distinctive Features

This variety is valued for its silver-marked foliage, which adds brightness and texture in shade where many plants read flat. In spring, clusters of tubular flowers rise above the leaves, often showing multiple colors as blooms mature from pink tones to blue. The habit is compact and clumping, spreading slowly to fill space without becoming aggressive. Its value comes from early bloom plus foliage that stays attractive well beyond the flowering period.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Part shade to full shade is ideal, with morning sun tolerated when soil stays evenly moist.
• Soil: Plant in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil for best foliage quality and bloom performance.
• Water: Water regularly during establishment and keep soil consistently moist through dry spells.
• USDA Zones: Zones 3 to 8.
• Mature Size: Typically grows about 10 to 12 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a focal point in a shade bed where the foliage can brighten the front of the planting.
• Woodland Gardens: Plant in drifts under trees and shrubs for early spring color and long-season texture.
• Shade Borders: Edge shaded paths and beds with a low, clumping plant that keeps a tidy outline.
• Underplanting: Tuck beneath shrubs to cover bare soil and add contrast where light is limited.
• Spring Pairings: Combine with hellebores, ferns, hostas, and spring bulbs for layered shade interest.

Low Maintenance Care

• Cleanup: Remove spent flower stems after bloom to keep the clump neat and foliage forward.
• Watering: Avoid letting soil dry out completely in summer to reduce stress and maintain leaf quality.
• Mulching: Apply a thin layer of mulch or leaf mold to hold moisture and keep roots cool.
• Division: Divide clumps every few years if needed to refresh vigor and expand plantings.
• Placement: Protect from hot afternoon sun, which can scorch foliage during warm weather.

Why Choose Celebration Lungwort?

• Bright Shade Foliage: Silver-marked leaves add contrast and lift shaded beds.
• Early Spring Blooms: Pink-to-blue flowers provide color when the garden is just starting to wake up.
• Groundcover Habit: Clumping growth helps fill in and finish the look of shade borders and underplantings.
• Deer Resistance: Often left alone by deer, making it a practical choice for woodland settings.
• Season-Long Interest: Foliage stays attractive after flowering, supporting a polished look for months.

If you want a shade perennial that delivers reliable spring color and foliage that keeps beds looking finished, Celebration Lungwort is an excellent choice. Plant it where soil stays evenly moist, give it a quick cleanup after bloom, and let the leaves carry the display through the season. It is an easy way to add contrast and a more finished feel to part-shade gardens.