About
Lamium maculatum, the spotted dead-nettle, is a stoloniferous perennial forming a mat of prostrate leafy stems with leaves often striped or spotted silver. Purple, white or pink, hooded flowers are produced in spikes in spring and summer. An excellent, long-lasting ground-cover plant for a shaded border.
About the genus
Lamium are annuals and perennials (the dead-nettles) with coarsely toothed, ovate leaves and two-lipped, tubular flowers borne in whorls forming short spikes in spring and summer. Useful and ornamental plants for shaded borders, wild gardens and ground-cover.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitMatforming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens
Native toEurope Asia Africa
Care notes
CultivationBest grown in moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered position in deep or partial shade
PruningAfter flowering, plants can be cut back to encourage fresh foliage cover
PropagationPropagate by division in autumn or early spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free