Plant Type

Ground cover, Perennial

 

Height Range

Under 1'

 

Flower Color

Lavender, Pink, Violet, White

 

Flower Season

Spring, Summer

 

Leaf Color

Bronze, Gold, Green, Yellow Green, Grey, Silver, White, Yellow, Variegated

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Half, Shade

 

Water

Low, Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Invasive

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese, Mediterranean, Ranch, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer

 

Location Uses

Entry, Shrub Border, Foundation, Parking Strip, Patio, Raised Planter, Walkways

 

Special Uses

Cascade, Container, Filler, Small Spaces, Hanging Baskets

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Spotted dead nettle is a moderate to fast growing, herbaceous perennial that forms a low, dense ground cover, usually under 6 inches, with a spread of 18 inches or more. Foliage color is silver-white with green margins, though many cultivars exist, with a seemingly infinite variety in leave color. Flower color is white, pink, rose, or lilac, depending on cultivar. Blooms typically appear late spring to early summer. Use as a ground cover in shrub or foundation borders, under trees, in containers or hanging baskets (though in this later use plants may not over winter).

Grow in well drained soil in part to full shade. It is tolerant of most soil types, but grows best in a loamy-clay to loamy-sandy soil. If planting as a groundcover, space the plants on 12-inch centers. It spreads by rhizones and creeping stems, so plant it knowing its nature, and it will be a heavenly addition to the garden. Restricting watering will keep it in check. Barney Barnett (Willard Bay Gardens) says lamium will keep snails out of hosta (they dislike its nettlely nature). In containers, it may need more frequent watering.