Lamium 'Purple Dragon'

Lamium 'Purple Dragon' – A Regal Addition to Shade Gardens

Infuse your garden with the royal elegance of Lamium 'Purple Dragon', a superior cultivar of Dead Nettle known for its striking deep purple flowers and attractive silver foliage. This robust groundcover is perfect for adding vibrant color and texture to shaded garden areas, where other plants might struggle to flourish.

Product Characteristics:

• Height: Typically reaches a modest height of about 15-20 cm, making it ideal for creating a dense, low-lying carpet under taller plants.
• Spread: Spreads to approximately 30-50 cm, efficiently covering ground space and providing excellent weed suppression.
• Leaf Colour: Features large, silvery leaves with pronounced green margins that illuminate shady garden corners with their luminous quality.
• Flowering Period: Produces abundant, deep purple flowers that bloom profusely from late spring through mid-summer, offering a long-lasting display of vibrant color.
• Foliage: The leaves are semi-evergreen in milder climates, maintaining their visual appeal throughout the year.
• Sunlight Requirements: Prefers partial to full shade, thriving in cool, shaded spots that receive little direct sunlight.
• Soil Requirements: Grows best in well-drained, moist, and fertile soil; tolerant of a range of soil types but prefers consistent moisture.

Uses and Benefits: Lamium 'Purple Dragon' is an exceptional choice for ground cover in woodland gardens, shaded borders, or as an underplanting for shrubs and trees. Its dense growth habit helps stabilize soil on slopes and prevents erosion. The plant's striking flowers not only beautify the garden but also attract pollinators such as bees, enhancing the garden's biodiversity.

Companion Plants: Create a harmonious shade garden by pairing 'Purple Dragon' with other shade-loving plants:

• Hostas: Their varied leaf shapes and sizes provide a beautiful contrast against the finer texture of Lamium.
• Ferns: Add elegance with their graceful fronds, complementing the ground-hugging nature of 'Purple Dragon'.
• Heucheras: With their colorful foliage, Heucheras add depth and interest to the planting, enhancing the overall aesthetic.

Care Instructions: Plant in a shaded or semi-shaded area to protect the foliage from the harsh sun. Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, especially during dry spells. Applying a layer of mulch will help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Prune back in late winter to early spring to encourage vigorous new growth and maintain a tidy appearance.

History: Lamium 'Purple Dragon' is part of the Lamium genus, which is widely appreciated in horticulture for its adaptability and ornamental value. This particular cultivar was selected for its enhanced floral display and vigorous growth, quickly becoming a favorite among gardeners for its ability to thrive in challenging shady environments.

Final Thoughts: Lamium 'Purple Dragon' offers more than just ground coverage; it brings a splash of regal color to the understory of any garden. With its stunning purple blooms and radiant foliage, this cultivar is sure to captivate and charm all who visit your garden. It's a perfect solution for gardeners looking to enhance their shaded spaces with ease, elegance, and ecological benefits.