Lamium 'Orchid Frost'

Lamium maculatum 'Orchid Frost': Cool Tones and Carpeted Elegance

Graceful and light-reflective, Lamium 'Orchid Frost' brings a soothing palette of silver and soft lavender to the shaded garden floor. Its silver-centred leaves, edged in minty green, form a dense, trailing mat that brightens dim corners and suppresses weeds with ease. From mid-spring through summer, delicate orchid-pink flowers rise just above the foliage, drawing in pollinators and adding a gentle burst of colour. Fast-growing but non-invasive, this shade-loving groundcover offers beauty, function, and a long season of interest with very little effort.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 15–20 cm
• Spread: 60–90 cm, spreading by creeping stems
• Flower Colour: Soft orchid pink
• Flowering Period: Mid spring to early summer, with light reblooming
• Foliage: Silvery white with soft green margins; semi-evergreen
• Sunlight Requirements: Part shade to full shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; tolerant of average to dry shade once established

Uses and Benefits: 'Orchid Frost' is perfect for carpeting the front of shaded borders, weaving through woodland edges, or trailing from containers. Its bright foliage adds lift and contrast beneath darker-leaved plants, while its soft blooms provide colour without overpowering the composition. Deer resistant, easy to maintain, and quick to fill in, it's a lovely and practical solution for bringing polish to low-light garden areas.

Companion Plants: Pair Lamium 'Orchid Frost' with Pulmonaria 'Moonshine', whose silver-speckled leaves and pale blue flowers create a luminous pairing. Add Carex oshimensis 'Evergold' for fine variegated foliage that echoes and enhances the lamium’s frosted tones. Complete the scene with Athyrium 'Ghost', whose upright, silvery fronds introduce height and ethereal structure to the soft-textured planting.

Care Instructions: Plant in part to full shade in moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly during establishment, especially in dry shade. Shear back after flowering to maintain a tidy appearance and encourage fresh growth. Divide or thin clumps every few years to rejuvenate and control spread.

History: A refined selection of Lamium maculatum, native to Europe and Western Asia, 'Orchid Frost' was bred for its enhanced foliage brightness and subtle floral display. It remains a favourite for its ability to soften shaded gardens with colour and texture.

Final Thoughts: With shimmering leaves and soft orchid blooms, Lamium 'Orchid Frost' brings cool elegance and easy charm—transforming shade into a softly glowing, low-maintenance tapestry.