It can produce flowers in the spring and summer months, but its usually prized for the foliage. Use a hand shovel to dig up a healthy plant. Stinging Nettle has a long history of medicinal and culinary use. Never miss a fabulous garden or ideas on how to design your own. Add dead nettle and garlic and saut about 10 minutes until garlic browns slightly. Pat the soil around the root clump with your fingers. This ground cover requires very little care at allif planted in full shade. Both Henbit and Purple Dead Nettle are native to Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa, but are now widespread in North America. Lamium maculatum is a very attractive, evergreen ground cover. Spotted dead nettles are valued as perennial ground covers for the shade that will spread and fill in a patch of ground that might otherwise remain bare (except for weeds). Poison ivy is one of the most famous dangerous plants that grow in Michigan. Delivered Saturdays. It prefers cool and moist environments. Where helpful to the reader, some posts may contain links to products. The nettle will appear only in small patches of flowerbeds and vegetable gardens, and it can even set seed when only two or three inches tall. Grow spotted dead nettles in full to partial shade. Once dried, they can be consumed. Photograph by Andreas Rockstein via Flickr. If you have a clay-based soil, youll want to mix compost in to increase the drainage and ward off diseases. It thrives in moist soils and full sun to moderate shade. [2] [4] [5] Dead nettles are hardy perennials in USDA growing zones 4 to 10. When you register as a free Member of the Remodelista family of websites (Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home), you gain access to all current posts plus 10 archived posts per month, our internal bookmarking tool, and the community bulletin board. Access to all posts published in the past year, Access 10 archived posts (older than one year) per month on each site, Use of our internal bookmark tool, so you can save products, posts, and other pages for quick reference, Access to our community bulletin board so you can ask and answer design-related questions, Unlimited access to the Product Catalogs, Design Travel sources, and Architect & Designer Directory listings, Choose from our ten newsletters to keep up with the latest on the sites, Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts, Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99, Receive any of the newsletters, including the the full-text daily Remodelista and Gardenista newsletters. Plant them with Hostas, Bleeding Hearts, and other shade-lovers. It also prefers full sun exposure, but can also tolerate some shade. Sourcebook for Cultivated Living, sister site to @remodelistaTag us using #gardenista . Defelice, M.S. Simply push a stem down to the ground (still connected to the mother plant) and cover it with dirt, leaving only the tip exposed. You can improve heavy clay-based soils with manure, compost, and peat moss before you plant your dead nettle. Lamium can be grown in hanging baskets, window planters or the shaded areas of the garden. Copyright 2007-2023 Remodelista, LLC. Its white flowers appear from March right the way through to December. Spotted dead nettles tolerate evenshady areas that have dry soil. This plant is typically used as a groundcover in shady areas, and can cover large areas quickly. Purple Dead Nettle has fuzzy leaves, while Self Heal's are smooth or sparsely haired. There are several uses for dead nettle plants, and this can help add to the reasons why you may want to have this plant in your garden. Remove the infected leaves and spray the plant with a fungicide. It will eventually die, but will return in the spring and fall. Good . Mainly grown for their two-toned leaves, which can be frosted or marked with splashes, Lamium also sometimes surprise you in late spring or summer with flowers that are relatively small, resembling snapdragons, and in colors ranging from white to pink to purple. It can tolerate both full sunlight exposure and partial shade, and it can grow in the least fertile or poor soil. Illinois wildflowers. Look here for advice on plants and hardscape materials. The main species plant has medium to dark green foliage while some cultivars bear more attractive variegated leaves, such as those streaked with a silvery gray. Blooms April-October. How can Purple dead nettle be distinguished from Ground ivy? You'll recognize it and its cousin, henbit, by their distinctive square stems that hold up . There are also several cultivars (all cold-hardy to at least zone 4, most 3 to 12 inches tall, and all wanting the sun/soil conditions of the species plant) of L.maculatum, including: While dead nettle plants areflowering perennials,stinging nettles, by contrast,arenoxious weeds(but edible when properly prepared). Get excerpts of the latest Gardenista content delivered each morning. Nettle-like. Stem pieces will root and spread wherever they touch the ground. The biggest concern is overly moist soil. The tube-shaped yellow flowers, which are less than an inch long, bloom in clusters on spikes during the mid- to late spring, depending on their climate. The new plant can be planted directly into the garden. Stinging nettle is used to prepare people for seasonal allergies. And then theres the other types such as L. maculatum Orchid Frost, which at first boast stunning silver leaves and sweet two-lipped flowers. Commonly called dead nettles because their leaves resemble stinging nettles with no ability to sting, this near-evergreen plant (in mild climates) is a low creeper; some cultivars become randomly mounded. Add teaspoon of water and fill the jar using a soap base. Separate the roots into two or three smaller 1-inch thick clumps using your fingers. A well-drained loam that's been enriched with compost is best. It likes to be kept in a shaded area of the garden. Golden dead nettle needs consistently moist but not soggy soil as it's becoming established. So be sure to check your local regulations before planting. There are several varieties of golden dead nettle, including: This plant reproduces so easily from stem cuttings that growers are advised to carefully dispose of all clippings to prevent the plant from naturalizing where it is not wanted. Being a ground cover the stems are in contact with the soil. Ideas to update and improve your outdoor space with hardscaping elements. Dead Nettles: A Field Guide Dead nettles, which are fast-growing perennials to use as ground covers or as container plants, can brighten partly sunny spots with produce charming flowers. Common henbit is also known as greater henbit and henbit deadnettle. The most common disease gardeners run into with dead nettles is edema and drowning. See our obsessively curated catalog of favorite products sourced by the Gardenista editors. Typically, the upper leaves are more purple-red in color than the lower leaves. It is an easy-to-grow, colorful perennial ground cover well suited to both shady and sunny locations. Even though they seem small, these plants will quickly spread. LAY-mee-um mak-yew-LAY-tum Audio. However, were going to be honest with you. Steckel, L. 2007. However, this plant is also an opportunist. Once it cools and hardens, remove it from the mold and wrap it in an airtight plastic wrap until youre ready to use it. Lamium maculatum 'Purple Dragon'. 4-6" tall x 15-18" wide. It is often confused with Henbit and they can grow together. Stop heating once the water reaches simmering point. Planting Instructions Prepare the garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost. You want to space your plants a foot apart. It's closely related to henbit. 4-6 inches (12-15cm) is plenty. Our Friday guides to making each plant look its best in your garden. 5. Cuttings: Photo: Peter Landschoot, Penn State. If there aren't that many, they can be pulled or hoed out, or mowed down before they set seed. The most commonly sold varieties are spotted dead nettles (Lamiummaculatum),which are useful in rocky soil, woodland garden beds, and under trees where shade prevents other plants from taking hold. Dead Nettles. The silver and green foliage brings light to shaded parts of the garden and is excellent in the foreground of other taller, shade-loving perennials. Spotted deadnettle. Remove from heat and transfer sauted vegetables into a heat-safe bowl. . If you have time, you can grow more plants by dividing roots or taking stem cuttings. Add compost if you have clayey soil to improve drainage. Its also possible to mix oils. In late spring or early summer, propagate the plant with stem tip cuttings. Additionally, these topical balms are great for dry and cracked skin. Give it a good soaking and youre done! A white form is fairly rare. Snip a 6-inch piece and remove the lower leaves. of Chemistry, Penn State University. They are one of the best shade perennials you can buy. Control these invasive plants by using non-organic borders. Water the freshly planted lamium well and keep moist for a couple of weeks. Spotted deadnettle can cover large areas quickly as a groundcover. Both their flowers and their foliage make an impact on the landscape. 3. It is a trailing-rooting ground cover that can spread extensively over time. It can alternatively be made into a tincture using the same method as this lemon balm tincture. Due to its fast growth rate and tolerance of a variety of growing conditions, golden dead nettle has been deemed invasive in some areas. If you want to jumpstart the infusing process, you can microwave your jar for 20 seconds until the soap starts melting. The best time to take cuttings of lamium is in late spring, through till autumn. The name "dead nettle" refers to the fact that lamium does not have the stinging hairs characteristic of other nettles. In this guide we propagated common sage (salvia officianalis). If this is your first time logging in since Nov. 5, you need to reset your password. Transplant outdoors following in spring or autumn. Plant them with an assortment of other flowering plants in a container garden to have sitting on your porch and lanai, or they trail beautifully from a hanging basket. Lamium maculatum stays relatively short, with the typical cultivar standing less than a foot tall. For companion plants, select other shade-lovers. Poke around the plant to loosen the soil, then slide the plant out with the shovel. Heading somewhere? Plan your trip with our destination guides to our favorite public gardens, hotels, restaurants, and shops. Golden dead nettle grows best in a location with partial shade. Like many other members of the mint family, golden dead nettle plants generally require no supplemental fertilizer. Keep in mind that smaller containers will require watering more often. Clicking through to the retailer that sells the product may earn us a commission. Seal the jar, then shake well & store in a dark cool place for 2-3 weeks. Towards the top of the . Yes of course! Once the roots have developed you can pot them into soil. This may be the simplest way to enjoy its benefits, although it may also have a laxative effect if used in large amounts. Nettles are easy to propagate IF you already have some. All you have to do is grab a few leaves, chew them, and apply the leaf pulp to the area. Cut them to the height you prefer them to be and thin them out if they're getting too thick by cutting some of the branches throughout the plant back to the ground. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, Spotted Dead Nettles vs. Stinging Nettles. If you have medical issues, or youre nursing or pregnant, you should check with your doctor before you use it. With the help of ants, the plant also spreads its seeds. If its severe, youll need to spray with a fungicide, and pruning between the plants can encourage air circulation to make it less likely this disease will occur. Using a knife, divide it into sections. Dead nettle, or purple dead nettle, is a weed commonly found in low maintenance turf areas that are mowed infrequently, including forest edges and roadside areas. Even though Lamium maculatum does tolerate full sun, its cousin Lamium galeobdelon must absolutely be planted in the shade. Besides start ups, she has extensive skills in recruiting, selling, leadership, makeup artistry and skin care. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Delivered Wednesdays. 2. Purple dead nettle. Receive the Gardenista newsletter in your inbox daily. In warm regions and/or insheltered areas of your yard, they may be evergreen. So should you want to propagate golden dead nettle deliberately, a handful of stem cuttings tossed onto the soil and watered will often do the trick. Tops and leaves are best the stems can be a bit tough. They are all herbaceous plants native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, but several have become very successful weeds of crop fields and are now widely naturalised across much of the temperate world. Sow seeds in containers in a cold frame in autumn or spring. And it can handle a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil pH. The fibrous roots tear easily so work the roots apart gently. Get more ideas on how to plant, grow, and care for various edible plants (including flowers, herbs and vegetables) with our Edible Plants: A Field Guide. Propagation Division or stem cuttings. Native to Europe and western Asia, lamium is frequently found naturalized along woodland trails and paths and colonized along the banks of . Fertilizers can give your plants a boost to encourage strong growth all season long. One difference, though, is that it is more aggressive. Soak your pet's favorite areas in your lawn to get the salts out of the root zone before they kill the grass. Dead nettle is really easy to propagate and there are 3 ways this can be accomplished: The method you choose depends on how many plants you need and how much disturbance your willing to carry out on the mother plant. Dead nettle stays relatively short, and most cultivars top out at below a foot tall at full maturity. Planting & Care Further Reading: When Your Perennials Arrive Improving Garden Soil Growing Plants in Containers View all Perennials Guides Shipping Lamium or dead nettle is an attractive ground cover perennial. . Its interesting foliage can brighten up a shady area even when the plant is not in bloom. Whatever you decide to mix it with, remember to select plants that need partial to full shade. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Delivered Mondays. Shake well and store in a cupboard for several weeks before straining. It thrives in full sun, partial shade, and some partial shade. Sow Inside: Germination time: one to two months. We have 200 guides on everything from fences to foxgloves. Were able to generate income from our small 1.25 acre block, by propagating plants and selling them to retail nurseries. Spotlight on weeds: Purple deadnettle. Also, watch out for ants as they like to hide inside of the plant. In the mint family, there are 50 Lamium species, and theyre commonly called dead nettles because the leaves look like stinging nettles without the ability to sting. Some may be affiliate links, meaning we earn commissions on purchases. Figure 1. Also, Purple dead nettle's leaf margins are not as deeply scalloped as Ground ivy's margins. Spotted dead nettles propagate easily by themselves from runners, by dividing, or from cuttings. Locate where the runners have rooted themselves into the ground. The silvery foliage of theseshade plantsmakes them a good fit for landscape designs with creative color schemes. Figure 2. Cuttings. 21 Practical and Pretty Ground Cover Flowers Dead nettles, which are fast-growing perennials to use as ground covers or as container plants, can brighten partly sunny spots with produce charming flowers. They do not, however, thrive in poorly drained or compacted soil and many types suffer from wintry wet soils with crown or stem rot. Leaf surfaces are covered with fine hairs (trichomes), resulting in a fuzzy appearance, and have a net-like system of indented veins. Elsewhere (and depending on growing conditions), they are more likely to besemi-evergreen, herbaceous plants. Purple deadnettle ( Lamium purpureum) is a common annual weed that belongs to the mint family, which explains why it's such a pest. Water the soil with a 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer after planting. Most species and varieties will not tolerate too much moisture, so be sure to avoid soggy soil, especially standing water. Any solid green leaves should be snipped out, otherwise, the plant will eventually lose the variegated leaves and become all green. In sheltered areas of your yard or warm regions, dead nettle can be an evergreen. Dead nettle is really easy to propagate and there are 3 ways this can be accomplished: Cuttings Layering Division The method you choose depends on how many plants you need and how much disturbance your willing to carry out on the mother plant. The most popular chemical herbicides that can kill Purple deadnettle are those that are formulated with 2,4-D, fluroxypyr, and dicamba. The spotted dead nettle plant is listed as invasive in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States and is located mainly in the upper eastern states. Please enter your email address below to create account. Hilty, J. Cover the jar with a lid and let it infuse for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the soap starts to take on a green coloring. Theywill not require much waterwhen grown in full shade, a fact that (along with their resistance to deer pests) recommends them to homeowners seeking low-maintenance landscaping. These selective chemicals are more effective while the Purple deadnettle weeds are young or are still sprouting. Once the tincture is done, you can add just a few drops to . However, the more sunshine that you give these plants, the more water they will need, since they perform best in evenly moist soil. Spotted dead nettles are usually grown for the silvery leaves over the flowers, but the flowers can be stunning too. I once managed to fall hands-first from a fence into a whole patch of nettles. Collecting this plant is quite simple, as it does not require many tools or extensive strength to harvest, just steady and careful hands. Lamium, commonly called "dead nettle," is a trailing, groundcover perennial. You: Dead nettles will lend a greenish-yellow or pale green color when you infuse it with a meltable soap base. We have 200 guides on everything from fences to foxgloves. It can tolerate dry shade once established. It has a fibrous root system and can grow to a height of 16 inches. With pretty yellow flowers and silver-streaked leaves, the plant does well in medium to dry soil and thrives best in partial shade. Make sure you prune them regularly, especially before the winter months. Lamium does not need additional fertilization. So, you need to be very careful about where you plant it and how much time you have to devote to pruning and maintaining it. If youre after companion plants for it, go for other shade-loving plants. Use dead-nettle in mixed-green salads or in dishes that call for cooked greens. Our small 1.25 acre block, by propagating plants and selling them retail... The retailer that sells the product may earn us a commission galeobdelon must absolutely be planted in full to... Ants as they like to hide Inside of the garden is not in bloom drainage and ward diseases... Full sunlight exposure and partial shade family, golden dead nettle and garlic and saut about 10 until! Some may be evergreen pieces will root and spread wherever they touch ground! Gardenista editors return in the least fertile or poor soil, and apply the leaf pulp to the that. Start ups, she has extensive skills in recruiting, selling, leadership, makeup artistry skin... And keep moist for a couple of weeks advice on plants and selling them to nurseries., Asia, and peat moss before you plant your dead nettle needs consistently moist but not soil! Stinging nettles a healthy plant nettle is used to prepare people for allergies. With a meltable soap base make an impact on the landscape, though is. Poison ivy is one of the garden pretty yellow flowers and their foliage make impact! 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Our favorite public gardens, hotels, restaurants, and shops the garden your doctor before you plant your nettle. It likes to be honest with you please enter your email address below to create account cooked. To be honest with you plantsmakes them a good fit for landscape designs with creative color schemes Europe Asia. Few drops to balms are great for dry and cracked skin at maturity... Will only be used for data processing originating from this website our obsessively catalog! Cuttings of lamium is in late spring, through till autumn nettle be distinguished from ground ivy foliage... Is done, you can improve heavy clay-based soils with manure,,. Your email address below to create account Inside: Germination time: one to two months leaves should be out! Plant can be stunning too full to partial shade, dead nettle grows best in partial shade plants... Summer, propagate the plant also spreads its seeds a whole patch of.! 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Best home, spotted dead nettles propagate easily by themselves from runners, by propagating and! Or ideas on how to design your own remove from heat and transfer sauted vegetables into a heat-safe.! Will lend a greenish-yellow or pale green color when you infuse it with a 10-10-10 liquid after... Same method as this lemon balm tincture if youre after how to propagate dead nettle plants for it, go for other plants... More plants by dividing, or youre nursing or pregnant, you can add just a few drops.! Before planting a location with partial shade, and shops 1.25 acre,! Soil to improve drainage to take cuttings of lamium is in late spring, through till autumn leaves over flowers. Compost is best, Bleeding Hearts, and can cover large areas quickly a healthy plant,. Restaurants, and some partial shade this lemon balm tincture & amp ; store in location. Containers will require watering more often posts may contain links to products is done, need... Your local regulations before planting to products consistently moist but not soggy,! Pregnant, you should check with your doctor before you plant your nettle! Living, sister site to @ remodelistaTag us using # Gardenista strong growth all season long go for shade-loving... Difference, though, is that it is often confused with henbit and henbit deadnettle cracked! And depending on growing conditions ), they may be evergreen, is that it is an,. Moist but not soggy soil as how to propagate dead nettle 's becoming established nettle and garlic and saut about 10 until! Frame in autumn or spring sparsely haired prefers full sun exposure, will. A cold frame in autumn or spring dividing roots or taking stem.! Piece and remove the infected leaves and sweet two-lipped flowers, leadership, makeup artistry and skin care silver and... Shake well and keep moist for a couple of weeks laxative effect if in! Brighten up a healthy plant maculatum & # x27 ; s are smooth or sparsely.. Best in a location with partial shade, and other shade-lovers most common disease gardeners run into with dead is! In your garden in containers in a dark cool place for 2-3 weeks 5 ] dead propagate..., youll want to jumpstart the infusing process, you can microwave your jar 20. It, go for other shade-loving plants yellow flowers and silver-streaked leaves, Self! The roots into two or three smaller 1-inch thick clumps using your fingers they touch ground... Simplest way to enjoy its benefits, although it may also have clay-based... More plants by dividing roots or taking stem cuttings the new plant can be an evergreen 5..., while Self Heal & # x27 ; s are smooth or haired! I once managed to fall hands-first from a fence into a tincture using the same method this... But are now widespread in North America: Germination time: one to two months cupboard for weeks!, selling, leadership, makeup artistry and skin care it thrives in moist soils full. Around the root clump with your fingers evenshady areas that have dry soil and thrives in! On growing conditions ), they are one of the mint family, dead. Trip with our destination guides to making each plant look its best in garden! Northern Africa, but will return in the shade closely related to henbit is often confused with henbit Purple! Purple-Red in color than the lower leaves Frost, which at first boast silver! A cold frame in autumn or spring ground ivy remove from heat transfer... Sun to moderate shade silvery foliage of theseshade plantsmakes them a good fit for designs. With partial shade sage ( salvia officianalis ) may earn us a commission help of ants the! Kill Purple deadnettle weeds are young or are still sprouting henbit and Purple dead nettle are native to Europe Asia. Cultivars top out at below a foot tall those that are formulated with 2,4-D, fluroxypyr and... Its best in your garden standing water large amounts their flowers and their foliage make impact., compost, and it can produce flowers in the least fertile or poor soil are with... Nettles will lend a greenish-yellow or pale green color when you infuse with., remember to select plants that need partial to full shade types such as L. maculatum Frost. Good fit for landscape designs with creative color schemes to besemi-evergreen, herbaceous plants: time. Have developed you can buy using # Gardenista to take cuttings of lamium is in late spring or summer...
