You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
One of the up and coming stars in the ornamental plant world are spotted dead-nettles or Lamium maculatum. This multi-purpose plant is grown for both its flowers and lovely foliage display. Of low stature, this plant is useful for border edges, rock gardens, shady gardens and containers. This article will introduce you to the many cultivars which now exist.
The genus Lamium are commonly called the dead nettles. The name comes from the fact that although the plants look similar to nettles (the genus Urtica) they do not sting hence are ‘dead' in regards to causing pain when touched. There are about 50 species of Lamium, including both annual and perennial forms. They are all native to the Mediterranean region. Most are weedy in nature and have, in fact, become noxious weeds in areas outside their native haunts. Only a handful are attractive enough to be used as garden ornamentals and even these needs to be watched carefully as they can become garden ‘bullies'. Those grown in cultivation include L. album, L. galeobdolon (aka Lamiastrum), L. garganicum, L. orvala and the subject of this article, the spotted dead nettle, L. maculatum. This latter species is certainly the most popular of the genus and the species most used by plant breeders, resulting in a lovely palette of cultivars.
Lamium maculatum is a low-growing, somewhat prostrate perennial which is generally under 30 cm in height but can spread to 100 cm or more. The leaves are paired and somewhat triangular in shape. They are sparely covered in short stiff hairs, have round-toothed margins and in the wild form, scattered silver spotting. It is the variation in the amount of spotting that plant breeders have concentrated upon when creating the numerous cultivars that now exist. The flowers are produced in small, rounded clusters at the ends of the stems. Individual flowers are somewhat helmet-shaped and may be white, pink or purple-red shades. They bloom from mid-late spring through fall, providing a modest floral display all season. Insects are rarely a problem and even deer are reticent to consume them.
In the garden, they grow well in part to full shade, although in cooler-summer areas they can withstand full sun. Well drained yet evenly moist soil will result in the most robust plants but once established, they are reasonably drought tolerant. Avoid excessive heat or plants may go summer-dormant, rejuvenating their foliage in the cooler fall months. Plants may be propagated by division or from cuttings which root with abandon. They can self-seed but the offspring are usually not as nicely marked as their named parents. They are hardy to zone 4 or zone 3 if there is steady snow cover. In the garden, they may be used as a groundcover, in containers or as accents along the front of the border. They combine particularly well with Hosta, ferns, bleeding-heart and bugleweed.
There are at least 30 named cultivars but I'll stick to the most popular. One of the older, yet still attractive cultivars is ‘Chequers' whose leaves have a central silver streak on a dark green background. Its flowers are reddish-purple. ‘Orchid Frost' has similar leaves with bluish-green margins and orchid-pink flowers. 'Shell Pink' is another similar cultivar but its flowers are light pink. ‘Immaculate' has completely green foliage and purplish flowers; it is grown primarily for the floral display.
The two most popular cultivars with central silver stripes are 'Chequers' and 'Shell Pink'
Perhaps the most popular are the silver-leaved forms. Many of these are completely silver with just a thin green margin. They really brighten up shaded areas with their metallic glean. Among the best cultivars are ‘White Nancy' (white flowers), ‘Red Nancy' (reddish-pink flowers), ‘Sterling Silver' (purple-pink flowers), ‘Pink Pewter' (bright pink), ‘Purple Dragon' (purple), ‘Cosmopolitan' (compact, light pink) and ‘Beacon Silver' (compact habit, lavender-pink).
Among the popular silver-leaved forms are 'Beacon Silver', 'Pink Pewter', 'White Nancy', 'Red Nancy' and 'Orchid Frost'
Spotted dead nettle also comes in golden-leaved forms. The old standard is ‘Aureum' (aka ‘Golden Nuggets') with plain yellow leaves and pink blooms. This one will burn if exposed to too much sun. Quite similar is ‘Cannon's Gold' and ‘Lemon Frost', both which also appreciate a shadier site. These three previous cultivars have gold new foliage that will turn chartreuse as the season progresses. They literally glow in a shady site. ‘Elizabeth de Haas' has green leaves with a central silver stripe and various yellow spotting throughout. ‘Beedham's White' has golden leaves with a central silver strip and white flowers. One of the most spectacular cultivars is ‘Anne Greenaway' whose leaves are a stunning a combination of green, yellow and silver. The mauve-purple flowers provide a striking contrast. ‘Golden Anniversary' is equally attractive but has reddish-purple flowers.
Among the yellow-leaved cultivars are 'Aureum', 'Lemon Frost', 'Cannon's Gold' and 'Beedham's White'
Among the most colourful cultivars are 'Anne Greenaway' and 'Golden Anniversary'
This list of cultivars is far from exhaustive and new cultivars seem to hit the market on a regular basis. For their ease of growth, wonderful foliage and modest floral display, the spotted dead nettles deserve a spot in any garden.
There are several DG members whom I wish to thnaks for the use of their pictures: growin ('Lemon Frost'), happenstance ('Anne Greenaway'), Kell ('Cannon's Gold'), poppysue ('White Nancy'), PudgyMudpies ('Orchid Frost'), saya ('Shell Pink'), TuttiFrutti ('Beedham's White' and 'Red Nancy')
About Todd Boland
I reside in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. I work as a research horticulturist at the Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden. I am one of the founding members of the Newfoundland Wildflower Society and the current chair of the Newfoundland Rock Garden Society. My garden is quite small but I pack it tight! Outdoors I grow mostly alpines, bulbs and ericaceous shrubs. Indoors, my passion is orchids. When not in the garden, I'm out bird watching, a hobby that has gotten me to some lovely parts of the world.
Posted by ewarchery (from Lenoir City, TN) on July 02, 2009 at 12:29 PM:
I have a fairly good size area that I want to put the purple dragon in. All the plants at the local nurseries recommend planting about 12" apart. I would need about 100 + plants and can't afford that. Are you aware of any seed source for these that I could start this winter/spring and then transfer to where I want them? I've "googled" and can't locate anything.
Help. Thanks.
...
Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on July 02, 2009 at 01:22 PM:
I think, as they are mint relatives, they are very easy to start from cuttings. I'm not sure 'Purple Dragon' makes viable seed.
...
Posted by ewarchery (from Lenoir City, TN) on July 04, 2009 at 12:19 PM:
carrielamont, Thank you for responding. I guess I'll pick up one or two from my local nursery and see what I can do.
...
Subject: Lamium
Posted by gardenfinds (from Tulsa, OK) on October 15, 2008 at 07:59 AM:
Lamium is my favorite plant and I was so glad to see your article on the different varieties. It brightens up a shady area and the blooms are lovely. I'm in Oklahoma, zone 7, and have it planted all over in shady areas. In most of the areas, it's actually an evergreen and I've even seen it blooming in the dead of winter! It IS quite prolific but easy to control with a few snips or dividing. I've been replanting it for years in my gardens and it's withstood even the toughest winters!
...
Subject: purchase some lamium with golden foliage
Posted by rigaut (from marville, France) on October 15, 2008 at 07:07 AM:
hello,
i have a nursery in france and i am looking for lamium with golden foliage i have already 'Gold Nuggets' but i need other cultivars, can you tell me where to buy some more
Thank'a a lot
...
Posted by Todd_Boland (from St. John's, NL) on October 15, 2008 at 10:42 AM:
Sorry I have no info on that.
Todd
...
Subject: Lamium
Posted by ajl (from Germantown, NY) on October 13, 2008 at 11:16 AM:
Planted several of the varieties mentioned in Todd's article last summer and this summer. We are trying them as ground cover at the base of various trees in order to avoiding mowing or weed whacking too close to trees. Mulched them in and the display has been neat and pleasant all summer. Some have needed more water than others although I have been assurred that as they mature they should be somewhat drought tolerant. Next spring I will try using some clippings in pots as fillers.
...
Subject: Lamium
Posted by mykeac (from Tallahassee, FL) on October 13, 2008 at 04:11 AM:
And then there's Lamium album (white dead nettle) - a very useful plant for men who need to "go" too often with prostate problems!
Many years ago I had a painful problem and was spending a lot of money on prescribed medication until I discovered this wonderful herb! One can buy packets of the dried leaves from good pharmacists/ naturopaths, homeopaths or herbalists. Cover them with a small bottle of vodka and allow to soak for a few weeks. Strain the brown tincture and add about 50% water to this, Drink about 20 drops every morning, diluted in at least a tablespoon of water, and your comfort zone will rapidly improve! I originally bought a bottle of tincture from a pharmacist as it had a most useful small dropper on the end for individual drops,
This kept me very comfortable (financially as well) for over 10 years until I needed to have a minor operation enlarging the passage through my prostate.
Any further info, you're welcome to contact me at m.ashley.cooper@comcast.net.
Myke Ashley-Cooper
...
Subject: Lamiums
Posted by LeathaStewart (from Franklin, OH) on October 11, 2008 at 03:20 PM:
Which lamium grows by sending out long, long runners from a crown, has to be pinched to make it cover, does not stem root readily, grows anywhere even under old maples that keep the moisture sucked out of the ground as well as the light obliterated?
...
Posted by Todd_Boland (from St. John's, NL) on October 11, 2008 at 05:50 PM:
Sounds like Lamiastrum galeobdolon....similar to and often called a Lamium, but is not a true lamium.
...
Subject: Love your lamium
Posted by Hemophobic (from Kannapolis, NC) on October 11, 2008 at 07:30 AM:
Todd: Enjoyed this article immensely. Used to have some Pink Nancy but she left. Now I'll have to put her and Beedham White into my garden. Like the golds, too.
...
Posted by KyWoods (from Melbourne, KY) on October 11, 2008 at 07:22 PM:
So many pretty ones! Thanks for introducing us to them all!
...
Posted by ViolaAnn (from Ottawa, ON) on October 13, 2008 at 07:58 AM:
Todd - I also enjoyed your article. Do you think one of these might be a solution in the dry area west of my Linden tree and east of my driveway? Tends to be quite shady and dry. I've had trouble keeping the Hostas moist enough there, but wonder if these would work well once established.
Also wonder who you would recommend as a Canadian supplier.
Thanks,
Ann
...
Posted by Todd_Boland (from St. John's, NL) on October 13, 2008 at 09:24 AM:
Ann, I buy locally...our local nurseries seem to offer a good selection if you shop around. Dry shade should be OK..they are more drought tolerant than Hosta.
