Dead Nettle Lamium galeobdolon
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Dead Nettle:
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:
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- 'Hernons Pride'
- 'Variegatum'
Leaves with silver variegation everywhere except on leaf margins
- 'Hernons Pride'
- 'Hernons Pride', 'Variegatum'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Hernons Pride'
- 'Variegatum'
Leaves with silver variegation everywhere except on leaf margins
- 'Hernons Pride'
- 'Hernons Pride', 'Variegatum'
- Tags:
-
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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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
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are erect to creeping, occasionally stoloniferous, 4-angles, and white-pubescent.
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Landscape:
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heavy Shade
- Problems:
- Weedy
