Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Pulmonaria angustifolia 'Azurea'
Azurea Lungwort
- Family
- Boraginaceae
- Height
- 10 to 14 in
- Width
- 12 to 18 in
- Flower color
- Intense cobalt blue; buds often open from pinkish or purplish tones before turning clear blue
- Foliage color
- Narrow, lance-shaped leaves in medium to deep green, typically without silver spotting
- Bloom time
- Early to mid spring
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; remove spent flower stems after bloom to tidy plants and encourage fresh foliage
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 3 to 8
- Wildlife
- Bees and early-season pollinators
About this plant
Pulmonaria angustifolia 'Azurea' bears bright blue, funnel-shaped flowers in early spring, opening from pinkish buds and held just above neat clumps of narrow, lance-shaped foliage. The leaves are deep green, softly textured, and notably unspotted, creating a clean backdrop for the changing flower tones as the season progresses. Blooming begins as winter fades, providing early color when few other perennials are active.
Originating from central and eastern Europe, this cultivar is valued for its dependable spring display and refined foliage. It fits naturally along woodland paths, shaded borders, and under deciduous shrubs, where flowers attract early pollinators and foliage remains tidy long after bloom.
Works well in
Borders · Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Rock Gardens
Companion plants
Ferns · Wild ginger · Hellebores · Japanese forest grass · Astilbes · Heucheras
Design tip
Spring bloom is its headline moment, and it reads best in a group rather than as a single plant. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun and layer it with woodland companions for a full, settled look.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
