By Julie Christensen
Looking for a tight - growing , attractive ground cover for your shade garden ? Consider lamium(Lamium maculatum ) , sometimes known as spotted dead nettle . This plant is a member of the mint family and is beloved by gardeners for its thick form and attractive foliage . The leaves are teardrop - forge and may be serrated . Most genus Lamium varieties have variegated leaf , with lime green , white-livered or white variegations . It is a beautiful works with colorful bound flowers . During the bloom period you will see minuscule clusters of purple flowers , white flush or pinkish flowers that appear from spring through late summertime .
Lamium is a versatile plant , hardy inU.S.D.A. plant hardiness zones4 through 8 . In zones 6 through 8 , it remains evergreen most of the year . It is an splendid choice as a recurrent soil cover since it tolerates a wide range of dirt circumstance , although it grows most apace in slightly moist , humus - rich land .
Getting Started
Most people grow genus Lamium from a few nursery plants . The works overspread promptly and within a year , four or five plants can satisfy in a space of 40 straightforward feet or more .
But , lamium is easy startle from seeds . To start from seeded player , place lamium seeds in a charge plate baggy with a spoonful of slightly moist potting soil . Refrigerate for 10 week because lamium source require a shuddery time period to spud . Plant in pot grease and keep evenly moist .
Propagating Lamium
you’re able to easily breed your phone number of lamium works by several method acting :
Choosing a Location
genus Lamium bear some sunlight , but it produce best in partial tad to full shade . In full sun , in particular in climates with high warmth , the leave become scorched , brown and wizen . Lamium flourish in alkaline soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 so if your territory is very acidic , amend it with lime . genus Lamium stick out most grunge types , so long as the soil has good drain . Fertilize lamium with an all - design fertilizer in the natural spring , as new emergence come out , and once more in mid - summer . Avoid fertilizing the works in previous summertime because the novel growth will be winterkilled by the first Robert Frost .
Space the original plant at least 12 inches apart . The plant seem small , but genus Lamium spreads quickly . In fact , in damp soil and soft climates , lamium species can become invasive . fleece it back in the summer if it threaten to take over your garden . Another option is to remove some of the plants every few years and pass them on to friends . When control in this manner , lamium persist a well - conduct , beloved ornamental plant life for your shady garden spots .
Pests and Disease
genus Lamium is a good choice for your shadowed area because it is unremarkably fairly maintenance free . Slugs and snailsthrive in shaded , moist soils and sometimes bother lamium . Allow the soil to dry out out somewhat between watering to discourage these pests or practice snail yap and baits .
As far as diseases go , the most common problem gardeners experience is edema and drowning , have by too much water supply and poorly draining soils . ameliorate heavy clay soilswith compost , organic matter , manure and peat moss before planting lamium . If the soil is very heavy , believe replacing it with a commercial garden ground bring in from a landscaping firm . Water so the soil stays slightly dampish , but not soggy . You need to keep a well - drain soil .
Powdery mildewalso affects genus Lamium sometimes . This disease cause a whitened powdery picture show to grow on the leaves . It ’s most common in hot weather and usually appears at summer ’s death . In most case , it is not fatal . Prune plant that are affect so air circulates more freely .
Varieties of Lamium
Most genus Lamium form originate between 4 and 8 in marvelous and 20 inch wide . A few , such asalbum‘Friday , ’ andorvala‘Album ’ turn 20 inches or taller .
For green leafage with whitened variegation , try out ‘ Album . ’ ‘ pinkish Pewter ’ has fecund pink flowers and atomic number 47 motley leaves , while ‘ White Nancy ’ has whitened flower and atomic number 47 leaves .
For more information on genus Lamium , inspect the following links :
A Comparative Study of Ground Cover Lamiumby the Chicago Botanic Garden
Lamium Maculatumfrom the Ohio State University
When she ’s not writing about gardening , food and canning , Julie Christensen enjoys spending time in her garden , which include perennials , vegetable and fruit trees . She ’s written hundreds of horticulture articles for the Gardening Channel , Garden Guides and San Francisco Gate , as well as several e - books .
