Native to the woodlands and scrub of western Europe, from the Atlantic coast of Portugal and Spain through France and into Great Britain, Pulmonaria longifolia is the most elegant of the lungworts in leaf. Its basal leaves reach 12 inches long and only 1 to 2 inches wide, forming dense clumps of conspicuous silver-on-green variegation that earn their place even when the blue funnel-shaped spring flowers have long passed. The genus name comes from the Latin pulmo, lung — the spotted leaves once led herbalists to believe the plant could treat pulmonary ailments, a belief now largely set aside.

Hardy from zone 3 to 8, it asks only for partial to full shade, rich moist soil, and protection from direct summer sun, which scorches the foliage quickly. Division after flowering in spring or in autumn is the standard method of increase. As a low spreading ground cover along shaded banks, borders, or beneath deciduous trees, it offers genuine four-season foliage interest in climates where it holds its leaves through winter.