Northwest Blooms · Groundcovers
Lamium galeobdolon
Golden Deadnettle
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Height
- 12 to 24 inches
- Width
- 24 to 36 inches, spreads aggressively
- Flower color
- Yellow
- Foliage color
- Green with silvery markings
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low to moderate; can become invasive, so trimming or containment may be necessary
- Growing zone
- USDA Zones 4 to 9
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees and other pollinators
About this plant
Lamium galeobdolon, commonly known as Golden Deadnettle, is a vigorous perennial appreciated for its striking variegated foliage and cheerful yellow flowers. The plant's leaves are typically dark green with silvery markings, adding texture and brightness to shaded or woodland gardens. Its bright yellow, hooded flowers bloom in late spring to early summer, forming in clusters along the stems and providing a lively contrast against the foliage.
Native to Europe and parts of Asia, Lamium galeobdolon thrives in shaded environments, where its creeping habit helps it spread efficiently as a ground cover. Often used in naturalistic or woodland settings, it can also be effective in controlling erosion on slopes or filling in gaps under trees. The plant is known for its ability to naturalize quickly, providing both ornamental and practical benefits in garden landscapes.
Works well in
Woodland Gardens · Under Trees · Slopes & Banks · Borders
Companion plants
Cyclamens · Aucuba · Bergenias · Fuchsias · Hellebores · Blechnums
Design tip
Plant broad sweeps of this variegated groundcover beneath trees or across shaded slopes where the foliage can illuminate darker spaces. Pair it with bold evergreen forms, upright accents, and layered woodland textures to create depth, rhythm, and a natural sense of enclosure.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Oregon Garden.
