by Jo C.
Member since:
August 4, 2007

Got a Shade Garden? Why You should know the word Lamium, the Perennial that blooms all summer

June 12, 2008 03:12 PM EDT
views: 116 | rating: 10/10 (34 votes) | comments: 44
This plant sometimes has the rather unattractive nickname, Dead Nettle. It is very pretty, a ground cover with pink or white flowers (some say it has yellow flowers in some varieties) I love it! I use it like crazy and it blooms all summer. It isn't showy but it is a nice alternative to many other ground covers.

Check my first link to an essay that has some great photos of lamium, done by another Gather person here. You can also divide this plant and spread it around your garden,making the price of that initial plant very worthwhile (or just get a start from a friend).

LAMIUM - a plant worth knowing for the shade gardener :)
link to this page
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Comments: 44

Jo C. Jun 12, 2008, 3:14pm EDT
Check out this article (not mine) for some great photos of lamium by another Gather person:
Garden photos and lamium too
lynn a. Jun 12, 2008, 3:15pm EDT
This is very good to know, Jo C. I'm letting some a couple of low growing shade trees grow on either side of our covered patio porch for the shade and that would work very well in this area.
Silly me! I have a whole bunch of that and didn't know what it was!
j - Frugal Mom - r. Jun 12, 2008, 3:20pm EDT
Thanks for the tip Jo, it might become handy one day.
jennifer b. Jun 12, 2008, 3:29pm EDT
Thanks!
Destiny W. Jun 12, 2008, 3:37pm EDT
DB 10! =] have a great day!
Amy B. Jun 12, 2008, 3:37pm EDT
I think my grandmother used to grow that. The flowers almost look like snapdragons.
Peter Joseph Swanson Jun 12, 2008, 3:40pm EDT
I love flower gardens
Charlene C. Jun 12, 2008, 3:41pm EDT
They're pretty. I've seen them but didn't know what they were. Thanks for sharing.
Paul M. Jun 12, 2008, 3:41pm EDT
Some days I wish I could have a shade garden.
Tiffany G. Jun 12, 2008, 3:43pm EDT
thanks for sharing
Marianne R. Jun 12, 2008, 3:51pm EDT
Good info. Triple points for you as I pass on through.
Sassy ... the calm and cool Cat Jun 12, 2008, 3:54pm EDT
Thanks!
Jo C. Jun 12, 2008, 4:18pm EDT
I forgot to mention one very important benefit. They cut down on weeding. I have very few, if any, weeds that make it through the lamium. You gotta love that!
Rose H. Jun 12, 2008, 5:47pm EDT
That must be that pretty speckled kind, I don't know what they are called. I'll have a looksee.
I wish there was more shade in our garden!
Lucky Stars Jun 12, 2008, 8:27pm EDT
Oh! You are a gardener too, Jo? Wonderful!
Yes, I love lamium for the shade. White Nancy is one of my favorite varieties.
Cindy K. Jun 12, 2008, 8:32pm EDT
I'm lucky. I have shade AND sun. Lots of options!
Jo C. Jun 12, 2008, 9:15pm EDT
Other shade plants I really like - Bleeding hearts, trillum, Bluebells, hostas (I've gotten a certain affection for hostas), impatiens, begonias. The main challenge in our shade garden is getting the right mix of textures and colors. One year they had a sale on white impatiens and we were short of money so I did an all white garden. It simply glowed against the dusk!
Curt L. Jun 12, 2008, 9:56pm EDT
Hi Jo! Sending a 10 your way! I'm a tad afriad of deadnettle as it seems a cousin to ajuga which becomes a bane rather than a garden boon.
Jo C. Jun 12, 2008, 10:00pm EDT
Curt - It is easy to pull up, really, and easy to transplant, too. Ivy, however, is a different story as is mint and many other plants I've dealt with. I really, really hate to move any yucca plants. They are difficult!
Christine Zibas Jun 12, 2008, 11:14pm EDT
Good suggestion as shady areas seem the most difficult to find something to work. I understand your affection for hostas. At first I didn't see what the big deal was, but they are definitely a plant that grows on you and there are so many varieties.
Kimberly Ripley Jun 12, 2008, 11:43pm EDT
I'll have to check this out when I get home. Th garden in front of our house only gets a little bit of morning sun.
Sheila Deeth Jun 12, 2008, 11:59pm EDT
I followed the link. They are nice. Wonder if I could make them grow?
Andrea "slackermom" R. Jun 13, 2008, 1:13am EDT
My back yard is mostly shade. I should try some of this.
Phyllis R. Jun 13, 2008, 10:17am EDT
Wow, thanks for the info, - I have a large shade area and this looks perfect! Thanks again!!!!
Amy C. Jun 13, 2008, 2:00pm EDT
great info!
vickey w Jun 13, 2008, 4:51pm EDT
Thanks for this information.. I didnt know this
Patti M. Jun 13, 2008, 8:34pm EDT
Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check it out. By the way. I plan to tell the story of how I met my husband Larry. Check out my article A Love Story. It tells a lot about us. Thanks for the lovely comment.
Ashley P. Jun 13, 2008, 9:49pm EDT
Great information. Shade plants sound like a neat idea. We just planted two dogwoods in the yard. I am so happy with my trees.
Sarah (I want points) Jun 14, 2008, 9:37am EDT
Wish we could have a garden...
Jo C. Jun 14, 2008, 8:49pm EDT
Sarah - I don't know where you live but I once had a garden on a small balcony and once even on a flat roof but that was NOT a good idea, that flat roof garden. Ever had a leak in the roof, complete with falling dirt? I have.
Mary M. Jun 14, 2008, 8:51pm EDT
Thanks! I've got one shady part of a bed in my back yard where nothing will grow. Now I know what to look for!
Mariana T. Jun 15, 2008, 2:33pm EDT
thanks for the info - that's very pretty as were all the other flowers on that link. Salud.
Vicky Duggins Jun 15, 2008, 5:36pm EDT
I'm always learning something new from you, Jo.

This article has been featured in the group, Gardening 101. Thanks for the excellent input to the group!
Donald M. Jun 18, 2008, 8:04pm EDT
Thanks for sharing
Paul Allen Leoncini Jun 18, 2008, 10:28pm EDT
(((POINTS))))) FOR the RACoon . . I miss the racoon . . .
Wilma M. Jun 18, 2008, 11:37pm EDT
I don't suppose you'd just come work in my garden would you? I'm not very talented. Plants tend to die when they see me coming.
necee t. Jun 20, 2008, 1:33am EDT
thank you... i don't get to plant my own stuff here...
Bhawana 'Gather Proud Mom' Jun 20, 2008, 11:04am EDT
Hi Jo,

Great tip here.I didn't know this, sounds good.

thanks
Mariana T. Jun 20, 2008, 6:07pm EDT
Jooo - I love your story that you wrote about Flor Maravilla - it is so beautiful - I want to print it out and put it under her - I love this magic! Salud.
Vicky Duggins Jun 25, 2008, 7:36pm EDT
This article has been featured in the group, Gardening 101. Thanks for your excellent input to the group.

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