Lamium are hardy and easy to grow, making them an excellent ground cover. I recommend that you avoid the plain green versions as they can be vigorous growers, unless, you have a large area that you want to cover. Instead, stick to the more ornamental variegated varieties. They are less aggressive and much more attractive, providing color and texture to the shady landscape. Lamium will tolerate dry conditions once established, though they prefer moist, well-draining conditions. If the plants get tattered looking by mid-summer, you can cut them back to basal foliage (leaves found near the base of the stem), improving the overall appearance. Within a couple of weeks fresh new growth will develop.
Lamium galeobdolon (also known as Lamiastrum galeobdolon or Galeobdolon luteum):
‘Compactum’ – yellow flowers, green leaves, compact, slower growing
‘Herman’s Pride’ – yellow flowers, variegated green leaves, clumping habit, very attractive
‘Petit Point’ – compact version of ‘Herman’s Pride’
‘Silver Carpet’ – yellow flowers, silvery leaves
‘Variegatum’/’Florentinum’– yellow flowers, silver variegation on green leaves
Lamium maculatum (Spotted Dead Nettle):
‘Album’ – white flowers, silver/white stripe down center of leaves
‘Ann Greenaway’ – light pink flowers, silver, yellow and green foliage
‘Aureum’ – light pink flowers, yellow leaves with white stripe down the center
‘Beacon Silver’ – pink purple flowers, silver leaves with green margins
“Beedham’s White’ – white flowers, yellow foliage
‘Chequers’ – pink flowers, green leaves with white stripe down the center
‘Golden Anniversary’ – pink flowers, green and yellow variegated foliage, very striking
‘Orchid Frost’ – pink flowers, silver foliage
‘Pink Chablis’ – pink flowers, silver leaves with green margins
‘Pink Pewter’ – pink flowers, silvery leaves with green margins
‘Purple Dragon’ – purple flowers, silvery green foliage
‘Roseum’ – pink flowers, green leaves with white stripe
‘Red Nancy’ – pink flowers, silver leaves with green margins
‘Shell Pink’ – large pink flowers, green leaves with white blotches
‘White Nancy’ – white flowers, silver leaves w/green margins
