Spotted dead-nettle is a fast growing ground cover that provides colorful flowers in spring and attractive, variegated foliage throughout the season.
Size and form:
Spotted dead-nettle grows to about 6 inches tall. It is a trailing-rooting ground cover that can spread extensively over time. Trailing-rooting ground covers have trailing stems that spread out horizontally from a central root system. They root where they come in contact with the soil and new shoots will be formed at the point where rooting occurs.
Native geographic location and habitat:
It is native to Europe.
Leaf description:
The opposite leaves are oval to heart-shaped and are slightly hairy (pubescent). The species has leaves with a single, narrow cream-colored stripe along the midvein. Cultivars often have showier leaves with more variegation.
Flower arrangement, shape, and size:
Flowers are small and hooded, borne in clusters. The species is mauve-colored, but several cultivars offer pink, purple, and white flowers.
Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:
Fruits are small nutlets and are not ornamentally important.
Plant care:
Spotted dead-nettle needs moist, but well-drained soil in partial to full shade. It will not tolerate dry conditions.
List of pests, diseases and tolerances:
No common serious problems. It is resistant to deer.
Aureum spotted dead-nettle (Lamium maculatum ‘Aureum’):
Leaves are yellow-green with a silvery stripe and flowers are mauve-pink.
Beacon Silver spotted dead-nettle (Lamium maculatum ‘Beacon Silver’):
Leaves are silver with a fine green edge and flowers are pink.
Chequers spotted dead-nettle (Lamium maculatum ‘Chequers’):
This cultivar has green leaves with a broad silver stripe and pinkish-purple flowers.
Golden Anniversary spotted dead-nettle (Lamium maculatum ‘Golden Anniversary’):
Leaves are green with a silver stripe and a golden edge and flowers are rosy-pink.
Orchid Frost spotted dead-nettle (Lamium maculatum ‘Orchid Frost’):
This cultivar has silver with fine, green-edged leaves and soft pink flowers. Flowers are produced in spring and sporadically through summer.
Pink Pewter spotted dead-nettle (Lamium maculatum ‘Pink Pewter’):
Leaves have silvery centers and flowers are soft pink.
Purple Dragon spotted dead-nettle (Lamium maculatum ‘Purple Dragon’):
Silver leaves have a green edge and the flowers produced are purple.
Red Nancy spotted dead-nettle (Lamium maculatum ‘Red Nancy’):
Silver leaves and rose-pink flowers distinguish this cultivar.
Shell Pink spotted dead-nettle (Lamium maculatum ‘Shell Pink’):
Green leaves have a silver center stripe and the flowers are soft pink.
White Nancy spotted dead-nettle (Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’):
This cultivar has silver leaves with a green edge and white flowers.
