Plant, Tree & Shrub Library

Other Names:  Deadnettle, Creeping Lamium

Description:

This striking variety is one of the most colorful and vigorous available; plentiful, handsome purple blooms rise above and contrast silvery varigated foliage below; an excellent choice for groundcover or containers

Ornamental Features

Purple Dragon Lamium has masses of beautiful spikes of purple flowers rising above the foliage from mid spring to late summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its attractive oval leaves remain dark green in color with showy silver variegation throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Purple Dragon Lamium is a dense herbaceous perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and can be pruned at anytime. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spreading

Purple Dragon Lamium is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• Groundcover
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Purple Dragon Lamium will grow to be only 6 inches tall at maturity extending to 8 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 24 inches. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It is an amazingly adaptable plant, tolerating both dry conditions and even some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Purple Dragon Lamium is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.