Lamium maculatum Silver Sterling - Spotted Deadnettle

This magnificent Lamium maculatum 'Sterling Silver' has remarkable foliage colour. Its numerous small semi-evergreen leaves are silvery and marginated with green. They create a luminous effect that is highly appreciated in the undergrowth. Dotted with pink-purple flowers from May to August, this perennial ground cover thrives in shady or semi-shady locations and prefers moist, rich, and light soil.

Lamium maculatum is called spotted deadnettle or variegated deadnettle due to its species name "maculatum," which means "spotted" in Latin. It forms a creeping clump consisting of numerous small, semi-evergreen leaves, 2 to 3cm (1in) long. They are heart-shaped, toothed, and embossed, forming a complete carpet that covers the stems that bear them. These stems are long and prostrate, but slightly raised at their ends and spread in all directions. They bear small flowers (2cm (1in)) with a hairy calyx that surrounds the corolla tube. The corolla extends into two lips: one finely hairy upper lip, and another lower. Their silhouette is reminiscent of nettle flowers. The name "Lamium" actually comes from Greek and refers to a throat or gaping mouth.

Deadnettles always make delightful ground covers. They require no maintenance (except if the foliage has dried) and are perfect at the base of a bush. The variety of colours and their reasonable and manageable growth, means you can integrate them at the front of flower beds, in ribbons or in small touches, thus varying the foliage. Place them in front of heucheras or perennial geraniums.

Lamium maculatum 'Sterling Silver' gets along well with its shade companions: Japanese anemones, epimediums, and astilbes. Its bright carpet attracts attention and complements their white or pink hues. In a semi-shady rock garden, or at the base of a wall, it also fits in among creeping perennials and provides contrast.