The flowers of Pulmonaria come in various shades of pink, purple, and blue. There are also white ones (e.g. Sissinghurst White), and a true blue one (Blue Ensign) which has plain green, not variegated, leaves. I have even seen a scarlet red one. They self-seed and hybridise, so the white and blue may eventually change colour. But I don’t mind, as they are all so pretty.
I have several varieties in my rockery, so when I saw someone on Bavarian TV making flower honey with pulmonaria flowers I knew I had to try this.
The flowers look like jewels embedded in amber…
The recipe called for “Acacia” honey, which I couldn’t find, but I think any clear, runny honey would do. There are no specific quantities. I used a handful of pulmonaria flowers, some daisies, wild strawberry flowers, speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys), yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon), a little fennel and some lemon verbena. If you still have violets, add a few too. (Mine are all over).
Add the flowers and honey in layers, to help distribute the flowers. Then wait for 4 weeks before eating! I am turning mine regularly, so the flowers don’t clump together and start fermenting.
I’m looking foward to trying it.
I may make some more with other summer herbs…
Let me know if you make some too! What would you put in yours?
I wondered about the name Pulmonaria, which I assumed was derived from the Latin word for lung, so I looked at the Wikipedia article for Pulmonaria and found this:
The scientific name Pulmonaria is derived from Latin pulmo (the lung). In the times of sympathetic magic, the spotted oval leaves of P. officinalis were thought to symbolize diseased, ulcerated lungs, and so were used to treat pulmonary infections. The common name in many languages also refers to lungs, as in English “lungwort” and German “Lungenkraut”.
Steve Schwartzman
http://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com
Thanks Steve. It has actually been scientifically proven that Lungwort in a syrup can help relieve coughs and bronchial symptoms, even though the original belief was based only on the leaf’s appearance!
I can’t wait to find out how the honey comes out- sounds wonderful. I have put herbs in olive oil but never thought of honey. You are so full of good ideas.
I’ll let you know what it tastes like! 🙂
I too am interested in how the honey turns out. I loved the Pulmonaria. 🙂
I’ll have to bake some bread to test the honey… will keep you posted! 🙂
THAT sounds so yummy! 🙂
You are such an interesting individual Cathy. I am grateful for your refreshing, thoughtful, short, refreshing, and unique posts. Really glad I found you here!
Thank you! I’m really happy that people appreciate my blog, so thanks for your comment!
If it tastes as good as it looks, it’ll be a winner!
I’ll be so disappointed if it doesn’t taste good! Will post about it in any case… 🙂
A cool idea Cathy! It is beautiful. You are expecting to taste a bit of the flowers/herbs you added right? Please give an update when you open the honey for tasting!
I certainly will! Thanks for your comment!
Honey like fluid Amber and a potpourri of flowers. Looks beautiful and will taste!
I hope so! It certainly looks pretty!
The picture of flowers and honey is sparking and bright and golden and full of sunshine and life! Beautiful shot and what a wonderful idea. I would love to reblog this post, may I? It truly is a work of art! Elaine
Thanks Elaine, I don’t mind at all if you reblog it! Glad you like it so much! 🙂
I´ve never heard of making flower honey. Sounds great though. How do you know which flowers can be used?
From the TV programme I learned that pulmonaria and lamium are edible, and I know the others from… wherever?! 🙂
Wunderful! ♥
Danke/Thanks Julie! 🙂
I don’t like it… I LOVED IT!!!! 🙂 it really look so sweet and tasteful! I wish I could make one for my husband and I!…thank you Cathy, this was a refreshing find 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the post! 🙂
What a fascinating idea Cathy – I’m intrigued to find out what happens to the flowers in that four week brewing period. Now I know what I could do with my all my unwanted lamium galeobdolon 🙂
Yes, I didn’t think about eating it until I saw the TV programme! I’ll let you know what the honey tastes like!
How beautiful! Never would have thought of that!
I hope it tastes good! 😉
Reblogged this on rainyleaf and commented:
Cathy has created a sparkling golden flower honey….I love these photos!
Thanks Elaine! 😀
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