About
Lamium orvala, the balm-leaved red dead-nettle, is a herbaceous perennial forming an attractive clump of large, oval leaves and upright stems bearing whorled spikes of large, pink-purple, hooded flowers to 4 cm long in late spring and summer. A handsome and ornamental dead-nettle for a shaded or partly 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
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitMatforming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesBedding displays, containers, gap filling.
Native toC & S Europe
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