Lamium 'Beacon Silver'

Lamium 'Beacon Silver' – A Luminous Carpet of Silver and Pink

Illuminate the shady corners of your garden with Lamium 'Beacon Silver', a stunning variety of Dead Nettle known for its striking silver foliage and delicate pink flowers. This low-growing perennial is highly prized not only for its decorative qualities but also for its ability to thrive in low-light conditions where other plants might falter.

Product Characteristics:

• Height: Typically grows to about 15-20 cm in height, making it an excellent choice for front-of-border placements and ground cover.
• Spread: Spreads to approximately 30-45 cm, forming a dense mat that effectively suppresses weeds and covers bare spots.
• Leaf Colour: Features eye-catching, heart-shaped leaves with a vivid silver sheen, edged in deep green, creating a radiant contrast that brightens dim garden areas.
• Flowering Period: Produces clusters of soft pink flowers from late spring through mid-summer, adding a charming burst of color against the silvery foliage.
• Foliage: The silvery leaves are evergreen in milder climates, providing year-round interest and coverage.
• Sunlight Requirements: Prefers partial to full shade, ideal for underplanting beneath trees or shrubs, or in shady border areas.
• Soil Requirements: Thrives in moist, well-drained soil; tolerant of a range of soil types, including clay.

Uses and Benefits: 'Lamium 'Beacon Silver' is an outstanding ground cover that offers visual appeal while fulfilling practical garden needs. Its dense growth helps prevent erosion on slopes and fills in areas under larger plants or along garden paths. The plant is also valued for its low maintenance requirements, making it a favorite among both novice and experienced gardeners. Additionally, its flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators, enhancing the garden's biodiversity.

Companion Plants: Combine 'Beacon Silver' with other shade-loving perennials to create a lush, multi-textured display:

• Hostas: Their larger leaves provide a bold texture contrast to the finer foliage of Lamium.
• Ferns: The natural woodland look of ferns complements the ground-hugging habit of 'Beacon Silver'.
• Heuchera: With their colorful foliage, Heucheras add a splash of brightness that pairs well with the silvery leaves of Lamium.

Care Instructions: Plant 'Beacon Silver' in a location that receives shade for most of the day, with perhaps a touch of morning sun or filtered light. Ensure the soil is rich and retains moisture well, but is also well-drained to prevent waterlogging. Mulching around the plants can help retain soil moisture and keep roots cool. While generally low-maintenance, occasional trimming post-flowering can encourage a denser growth habit and rejuvenate the plant's appearance.

History: Lamium 'Beacon Silver' is a cultivated variety of Lamium, a genus that includes several valuable ground covers widely used in landscaping for their adaptability and ornamental value. 'Beacon Silver' has been particularly noted for its striking foliage and has become a popular choice in gardens across temperate regions.

Final Thoughts: Lamium 'Beacon Silver' is an ideal selection for gardeners looking to enhance their shade gardens with foliage that is both beautiful and functional. Its silvery leaves and pink flowers not only provide aesthetic appeal but also help create a cohesive look when combined with other shade-tolerant plants. With 'Beacon Silver', even the darkest corners of the garden can be transformed into vibrant, inviting spaces.