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Similar but less problematic plants:
Agastache rupestris Form
Lamium galeobdolon is often confused with:
Ajuga pyramidalis Flower
Ajuga reptans Ajuga reptans - mass planting wide shot
Lamium purpureum Form in a lawn
Native alternative(s) for Lamium galeobdolon:
Collinsonia canadensis Form
Heuchera americana A cultivar with purple and silvery leaves
Monarda punctata Monarda punctata in bloom in summer in Moore County
Salvia lyrata Salvia lyrata
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Aegopodium podagraria Aegopodium podograria
Ajuga reptans Ajuga reptans - mass planting wide shot
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea
Lamium galeobdolon has some common insect problems:
Slugs and Snails Found on Flowers and Foliage

Lamium galeobdolon

Previously known as:

  • Lamiastrum galeobdolon
Phonetic Spelling
LAY-mee-um gay-lee-ob-DOH-lon
Description

Dead nettle is an herbaceous, spreading perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family that grows rapidly up to nearly 2 feet in height and width. This plant blooms in late spring to early summer and is used as ground cover in woodland or shaded areas. This plant does well in dry shade where nothing else will grow. Stems root when they touch the ground, meaning this plant can become aggressive and weedy if not contained. 

This plant is tolerant of drought, prefers full shade to partial shade, and is intolerant of full sun. Pruning to 6" will keep it from getting leggy. It is propagated by division in spring or by terminal spring cuttings. Plants should be spaced 12-18" apart. L. galeobdolon 'Variegatum', a cultivar, has .

Quick ID Hints:

  • Herbaceous ground cover with ovate, toothed, or notched leaves
  • Opposite silver leaves have green edges or are entirely green
  • Yellow flowers are hooded and 2-lipped, lower lip is 3-lobes

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant is relatively disease free, but snails and slugs may be a problem. This plant can be quite weedy and spread aggressively through runners.  In the western part of the country this plant is listed as invasive, so alternatives should be considered.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Hernons Pride'
  • 'Variegatum'
    Leaves with silver variegation everywhere except on leaf margins
'Hernons Pride', 'Variegatum'
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#shade garden#spring flowers#high maintenance#disease resistant#fast growing#aggressive#pest resistant#summer flowers#groundcover#fantz#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#heavy shade tolerant#pruning tolerant#dry shade#perennial#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Hernons Pride'
  • 'Variegatum'
    Leaves with silver variegation everywhere except on leaf margins
'Hernons Pride', 'Variegatum'
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#shade garden#spring flowers#high maintenance#disease resistant#fast growing#aggressive#pest resistant#summer flowers#groundcover#fantz#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#heavy shade tolerant#pruning tolerant#dry shade#perennial#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lamium
    Species:
    galeobdolon
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe to Iran
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    4-5 petals/rays
    6 petals/rays
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers have 2-10 petals. They are yellow, hooded, and double-lipped. Corolla is yellow and flecked brown and 2-lipped. Upper lips are hooded, while lower lips are spreading. They are 3-lobed, and less than 1" in size. Calyx is tubular and has 5 teeth. They bloom in late spring. Inflorescence is cymes in false whorls that can be axillary or terminal.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are opposite, simple, ovate to orbicular, obtuse to acute, rotund to cordate, crenate-dentate, and 3' long. The medium green leaves are covered with numerous hairs, have toothed edges, and are aromatic when crushed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are erect to creeping, occasionally stoloniferous, 4-angles, and white-pubescent.
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heavy Shade
    Problems:
    Weedy