Plant Type

Ground cover, Perennial

 

Height Range

Under 1'

 

Flower Color

White

 

Flower Season

Spring, Summer, Intermittent

 

Leaf Color

Green, Silver, White, Variegated

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Half, Shade

 

Water

Low, Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

Invasive

Design Styles

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

 

Accenting Features

Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Parking Strip, Patio, Walkways

 

Special Uses

Cascade, Container, Mass Planting, Small Spaces, Hanging Baskets

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

White Nancy Dead nettle with heart-shaped to rounded leaves of silvery white with green margins. Short spikes of white flowers appear in early summer, reminiscent of ajuga. Grows about 6 inches tall and spreading 12 to 24 inches, by stolon. Wonderful for dry shade areas, particularly when mixed with dead nettles of other colors, ajuga, and hosta. Really lightens up dark corners.

Grow in part to full shade in well drained soil. Does not require deadheading, and unless you are very fussy, does not require cutting back in spring. Considering their delicate appearance, the plants are remarkably cold and drought tolerant and do not seem to be bothered much by bugs. In fact, Barney Barnett (Willard Bay Gardens) says that planting dead nettle around hosta will deter snails and slugs. I have yet to try this, but it may make me change my mind about growing hosta. If planted in containers, may need more frequent water.