Practical
Plants

Pulmonaria saccharata

Jerusalem Sage

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

The plant is said to be used as a spice[2][3]. No more details are given.

Product or use
Condiment

Material uses

A good ground cover plant for a shady position[5][7]. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way[9].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Central and southern Europe.
Habitat
Woods and scrub[4]. Shaded positions in deep humus-rich soils[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

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[8]. 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.

Cultivation

Grows well in any moderately good soil including heavy clay soils[1][11]. Prefers full to part shade in a moist humus rich soil[8]. Succeeds in the sunless shade of buildings[8]. Dislikes dry soils[8]. Plants growing in shady positions tolerate drought if the soil is rich in humus[6]. The leaves tend to wilt in hot weather when the plant is grown in full sun[6]. Hardy to about -20°c[4]. A very ornamental plant[10], it is semi-evergreen, forming small over-wintering rosettes[8]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[10]. A valuable early nectar source for bees[8]. 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[8]. There are many named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  5. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  6. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩1↩2

  7. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

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  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  9. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

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  10. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2

  11. Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

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