The lungwort, so called because the mottled leaves were supposed to resemble lungs, and as such, using the Doctrine of Signitures method of medicine, the species was used to treat lung-related ailments. Different varieties produce a range of leaf markings, which look their best when putting on fresh growth after the spring flowering and are therefore a great ground cover plant. Funnel-shaped flowers with open lobes are produced in shades of blue, violet, pink, purple, red and white are a good early food source for bees.

Pulmonaria angustifolia is a really excellent lungwort, with bright blue flowers from early in spring, lasting for ages. It looks splendid with daffodils, and if clumps are frequently split, you soon get a wide area of blue colour, under trees or between shrubs.