Pulmonaria 'Margery Fish'
Best shade-loving groundcover for gardeners seeking low-maintenance, deer-resistant seasonal color.
Pulmonaria 'Margery Fish', or Bethlehem sage, is a deciduous to semievergreen perennial celebrated for offering three seasons of interest. In early spring, it produces sprays of funnel-shaped flowers that transition from coral-pink to violet, attracting bees with their rich pollen and nectar. This herbaceous plant features a low-growing, spreading habit with elliptical leaves heavily speckled with silver, forming a fuzzy basal rosette. It spreads slowly via rhizomes and is excellent as a showy groundcover, in mass plantings, or as a container specimen. It thrives in cool, humusy, organically rich, well-drained soils with part shade to full shade.
$16.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
1072
/ 2693
#1072 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-61%
Below average
SKU
28920
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking year-round visual interest in shaded areas
- Early-season enthusiasts craving vibrant color in dormant landscapes
- Busy homeowners wanting low-maintenance, pest-resistant groundcover
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in regions with intense, arid summer heat
- People living in areas with poor airflow or high humidity
- Gardeners struggling with heavy slug and snail populations
Performance breakdown
Shade Tolerance
Thrives in deep shade where most flowering perennials struggle to bloom.
Pest Resistance
Reliably deters deer and resists damage from black walnut trees.
Visual Interest
Silver-speckled foliage provides beauty long after the spring blooms fade.
Pollinator Appeal
Nectar-rich flowers serve as a vital early-season resource for local bees.
Growth Habit
Spreads at a manageable pace without becoming an invasive garden nuisance.
Establishment Ease
Requires consistent moisture initially but gains impressive drought tolerance once settled.
Key Specs
SKU
28920
Genus
Pulmonaria
Species
saccharata
Item Form
Bareroot
Mature Height
18 in
Mature Width
2 Feet
Hardiness Zones
4 - 8
Features
- Offers three seasons to nearly year-round interest
- Flowers emerge coral-pink and mature to violet
- Foliage is heavily speckled and spotted with silver
- Attracts bees with pollen and nectar-rich flowers
- Spreads slowly by creeping roots but is not invasive
- Tolerates some drought once established
- Resistant to deer and black walnut
What customers say
The aesthetic appeal of the silver spotted foliage is the primary draw for this Pulmonaria, providing essential texture and light in deep shade gardens. Customers consistently praise its reliability, noting how easily it establishes and thrives in challenging, low light conditions. This plant is celebrated as a dependable, low maintenance solution that delivers significant visual impact, making it a high value addition despite occasional comments about the initial starter size.
Know before you buy
This plant thrives in partial to full shade. It is an excellent choice for woodland gardens or areas under tree canopies where sunlight is filtered.
Since 'Margery Fish' reaches a mature width of 2 feet, you should space them approximately 18 to 24 inches apart to allow for their natural spreading habit.
Yes, Pulmonaria 'Margery Fish' is generally avoided by deer. Its fuzzy, textured foliage makes it less palatable compared to other garden perennials.
This variety is hardy in zones 4 through 8, meaning it can withstand winter temperatures as low as -30°F. It is a reliable perennial for most temperate regions.
It is relatively low-maintenance. While it prefers cool, humus-rich soil, it develops some drought tolerance once established and is not considered invasive.
As a bareroot specimen, the plant will arrive dormant without soil around the roots. You should plant it promptly in well-drained, organically rich soil to encourage healthy spring growth.
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$17