Dark Vader Lungwort

Dark Vader Lungwort (Pulmonaria 'Dark Vader')

Dark Vader Lungwort is a shade-loving perennial that brightens low-light beds with silver-speckled foliage and early spring color. It fills in as a tidy, clumping groundcover, helping shade borders look finished long after the blooms fade. The flowers open in a mix of pink tones and shift toward blue to blue-purple, giving you a multi-color effect on the same plant. If you want dependable spring interest plus foliage that carries the display for months, this is an easy upgrade for part-shade gardens.

Distinctive Features

This variety forms a compact mound of dark green leaves marked with bold silver spotting, creating strong contrast in shaded spaces where many plants read flat. In spring, clusters of tubular flowers appear in shades of pink and blue-purple, often showing multiple colors at once as they mature. The habit is clumping and low, making it a reliable underplanting that spreads gently into a fuller patch over time. Foliage can remain attractive well beyond bloom, delivering season-long texture and color in the shade.

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 20 inches wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a focal point in a shade bed where the silver foliage can pop against darker greens.
• Woodland Gardens: Plant in drifts under trees and high-branching 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.
• Pollinator Plantings: Add to early-season pollinator areas where spring blooms help support emerging activity.

Low Maintenance Care

• Cleanup: Remove spent flower stems after bloom to keep the clump looking fresh and foliage forward.
• Watering: Avoid letting the 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 Dark Vader Lungwort?

• Silver-Spotted Foliage: Dark leaves with bold silver spotting bring contrast and brightness to shaded beds.
• Early Spring Color: Pink and blue-purple blooms deliver an early burst of interest when the garden is waking up.
• Groundcover Value: Clumping habit 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 Texture: Foliage keeps contributing long after flowering, supporting a more polished landscape.

For a shade perennial that looks good in bloom and keeps earning its space afterward, Dark Vader Lungwort is a dependable choice. Plant it where soil stays evenly moist, pair it with ferns, hellebores, and spring bulbs, and let the silver foliage do the heavy lifting through the season. It is an easy way to add color, contrast, and a more finished feel to low-light gardens.