Pulmonaria saccharata - Jerusalem Sage

Family:	Boraginaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.3
Width:	0.6
Synonyms:	P. picta.
Range:	Central and southern Europe.

Pulmonaria saccharata (Jerusalem Sage) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.3m and a width of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 3and is vunerable to frost.
Jerusalem Sage will flower in November. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Jerusalem Sage will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Jerusalem Sage prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Jerusalem Sage can grow in full, semi shaded areas and areas with no shade.

Woods and scrub[187]. Shaded positions in deep humus-rich soils[200].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is suited to a deeply shaded location
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds

Cultivation Details

Grows well in any moderately good soil including heavy clay soils[1, 31]. Prefers full to part shade in a moist humus rich soil[200]. Succeeds in the sunless shade of buildings[200]. Dislikes dry soils[200]. Plants growing in shady positions tolerate drought if the soil is rich in humus[190]. The leaves tend to wilt in hot weather when the plant is grown in full sun[190]. Hardy to about -20°c[187]. A very ornamental plant[233], it is semi-evergreen, forming small over-wintering rosettes[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. A valuable early nectar source for bees[200]. Plants seen growing in dappled shade at Hilliers Arboretum in April 1999 were self-sowing quite freely[K]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. There are many named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
The plant is said to be used as a spice[177, 183]. No more details are given.

• Condiment - the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn or after flowering in early summer if the soil is not too dry[200]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A good ground cover plant for a shady position[188, 197]. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way[208].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

Cultivars

'' - There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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