Lamium 'Orchid Frost'
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HEADS UP. THIS ONE SPREADS.
Lamium spreads by creeping stems that root as they go, and it can wander into nearby beds and lawns. Plant it where it has room or can be contained, and keep it out of woodlands, ravines and other natural areas.
Lamium 'Orchid Frost': Frosted Silver and Orchid-Pink Encores
Silver leaves trimmed in blue-green, trailing along with orchid-pink flowers that keep coming back. 'Orchid Frost' is the friend who says 'just one more song' and MEANS IT EVERY TIME.
Plant Characteristics:
- Botanical Name: Lamium maculatum 'Orchid Frost'
- Common Name: Spotted Dead Nettle
- Height: 15β20 cm (6β8 in)
- Spread: 30β60 cm (12β24 in)
- Flowers: Orchid-pink, hooded flowers with a pale throat, in short clusters
- Bloom Time: Late spring to late summer (May to August), with a few flowers into fall
- Foliage: Silver leaves with a blue-green margin, forming a low, trailing mat
- Features: Rabbit resistant, strong rebloom
Where to Plant: Use it to carpet the ground under shrubs and trees, to edge a shady path, or to soften the front of a woodland border. The trailing stems also make it a good spiller for shade containers and window boxes.
Companion Plants: Cimicifuga 'Atropurpurea' gives height at the back, with white spires up to 180 cm from August to October. Hosta 'Guacamole' sits in the middle at 60 cm, its big leaves rising out of the lamium's low carpet. Epimedium 'Frohnleiten' brings yellow flowers in April and May, a fresh contrast before the lamium's pink flowers take over from May to August. It's a long-season planting for full shade to part sun.
Plant Care: Plant in part sun to full shade in average, well-drained soil. It handles clay or sandy soil, but not soggy or compacted ground. Water regularly through the first season. After that it copes with dry spells, though a drink in a long heat wave keeps it looking fresh. Hot afternoon sun can scorch the silver leaves. If it looks ragged by midsummer, shear it back to encourage new leaves and more flowers. Tidy it up in early spring. Stems root where they touch the soil, so divide clumps or move rooted pieces in spring or early fall.
History: 'Orchid Frost' started as a chance seedling found by Mike Bovio in Michigan and was patented in 1999 as more vigorous than 'Beacon Silver'. The species is native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia, and maculatum means spotted.
Final Thoughts: Deer and rabbit resistant, tough in drought once settled and great spilling over a wall. Plant it and enjoy the rerun. SAME SHOW, STILL GOOD.
