James H. Schutte
Family
Lamiaceae
Botanical Name
Lamium
Plant Common Name
Deadnettle
General Description
The genus Lamium contains approximately 40 species of annuals and perennials that occur naturally in a range of habitats across Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and Asia. They are commonly known as deadnettles due to their resemblance to stinging nettles; however they do not have the stinging hairs associated with true nettles, and are therefore “dead”. A few species are grown for their attractive foliage, flowers and spreading habit. Some have become serious weeds of agricultural crops in areas outside their native range.
Most Lamium species creep by underground stems, and may be mat-forming or upright in habit. Like all members of the mint family, the stems are square in cross section, and the foliage held in opposite pairs. The leaves are typically wrinkled, rounded, and heart-shaped to broadly oblong and pointed. They have coarsely scalloped or toothed margins, and are often patterned with various attractive combinations of silver and green. Generally, flowers bloom in spring and summer, and appear in shades of purple, magenta, pink, yellow, white or cream. These are occasionally produced singly, but most are borne in whorls surrounding the stems just above the leaves or on spikes held above the foliage. Each blossom has an upper hooded lip which is usually hairy, and a three-lobed lower lip. After the flowers drop, the five-lobed calyx (tiny sepals that surround the flower bud) remains, and many small seeds, or nutlets, are produced.
Among the most ornamental Lamium species are white deadnettle (L. album), a sprawling perennial native to Europe and western Asia with soft leaves and white flowers. It is a good choice for ground covers in shady locations, woodland gardens and herb gardens. Spotted deadnettle (L> maculatum) is a mat-forming, herbaceous perennial which makes a great ground cover for shady moist conditions. It bears small heart-shaped leaves with ivory markings and pink or white blooms. Red deadnettle ( Lamium purpureum) is a winter annual native to Europe and Asia with rough, circular to heart-shaped leaves and red-purple blooms. This species has become invasive in some locations, and is considered a weed in the United States. Lamium armenum, native to Turkey, is a mat-forming, non-invasive species that produces large, hooded white-pink flowers in the summer. It is a great plant for rock gardens and containers in cooler climates.
Generally, deadnettles grow best in part sun to shade and fertile soil with average drainage, though a few species prefer sharp drainage and sunny locations. Most are easy to grow, and some may spread readily around the garden and may escape cultivation to become invasive. Garden cultivars are great in mixed shaded borders or rock gardens.
