Red Dead Nettle, Purple Dead Nettle

On May 25, 2013, plant_it from Valparaiso, IN wrote:

This dead nettle is native to Europe and Asia. It can get quite invasive here in the U.S. My neighbors otherwise healthy woodlands are infested with it. It colonizes and forms big patches. Similarly, I've noticed that the cornfields around here that have not been planted yet are loaded with dead nettle. I'm thinking if it takes over not just disturbed areas but also healthy woodlands, look out.

Instead of Purple Dead Nettle, you can plant wild ginger, asarum canadense. It's native to the U.S. Hardy in zones 3-8. The sturdy rootstocks and soft green leaves creep to cover woodland slopes, rocky soils and any shady area. Once established, it fends off garlic mustard, buckthorn, and other invasives like the deadnettle. Plant one foot apart to form a solid cover in two to three y... read moreears.

On Apr 20, 2011, marti001 from Somerset, KY (Zone 6b) wrote:

I find this plant interesting. It grows wild in my yard, but I can pull it up easily. I do like it as it is the first color in the spring along with the wild violets. After it's done blooming I start pulling it.

On Nov 28, 2007, creekwalker from Benton County, MO (Zone 5a) wrote:

I have to say I like this plant. It might grow profusely in the spring, but it never seems to choke anything out and as summer progresses, it dies away.

I like seeing the cheery purple fields of it in the spring as a reminder that spring is finally here.

On Mar 21, 2007, centralva from Richmond, VA wrote:

This plant is invasive.You will pull the plants up and herbicide.
Thinking that the problem is solved you will be dismayed to discover them somewhere else in your yard and or garden.
It flourishes all over the south east and is considered a weed.
Please Do Not Plant this if youve just moved here.You would only be adding to the problem as well as wasting your money.If you absolutely must have this plant just ask your neighbor if you can get some plants from there yard.I assure you most of us would only be too happy to oblige.The less there are of them ,the less we have to weed.

On Mar 16, 2007, altavista from Floyd, VA wrote:

This plant drives me nuts! It is taking over my garden. The root system is so large that you have to dig it out rather than pull. Clearing it in the late fall or early spring seems to be the easiest.

On Apr 18, 2005, Fancee1945 from Scotts, MI (Zone 5b) wrote:

I am in SW Michigan and this plant grows all by itself in my garden areas. Not sure where it came from but I really like it. I have tried to find detailed information on it. Finally this weekend I have dug out every plant in my garden areas, I sure didn't want to because it is a beautiful plant. So I guess I can say it POSITIVELY grows wild here on its own.

On Apr 4, 2005, melody from Benton, KY (Zone 7a) wrote:

Invasive isn't a good word for this plant...it flows in purple waves all along the roadsides and in everyone's yards...strangling everything in it's path.

The purple flowers are a welcome sight in early Spring, but even I get fed up with them after a bit. I have a yard instead of a lawn, and they get the better of me.

On Oct 16, 2002, ohmysweetpjs from Brookeville, MD wrote:

Cute little plant. Not invasive like some and though you have to look very closely to see in detail, the flowers are very pretty though quite small. I'm almost certain it's also a butterfly host plant.