Lamium 'Purple Dragon'

Lamium maculatum 'Purple Dragon': Bold Blooms on a Silvery Carpet

Striking and dependable, Lamium 'Purple Dragon' combines luminous foliage with rich floral colour for high-impact groundcover in part to full shade. Its large, deep lavender-purple flowers are among the showiest of any lamium, blooming generously above bright silver leaves edged in soft green. The foliage forms a spreading, low mat that helps suppress weeds while lighting up shady corners with reflective texture. Fast to establish and beautifully bold in bloom, this cultivar brings both colour and coverage to woodland borders and beneath shrubs or trees.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 15–20 cm
• Spread: 60–90 cm, spreading by creeping stems
• Flower Colour: Deep lavender-purple
• Flowering Period: Mid spring to early summer, with intermittent rebloom
• Foliage: Bright silver with green margins; semi-evergreen
• Sunlight Requirements: Part shade to full shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; tolerant of average garden conditions

Uses and Benefits: 'Purple Dragon' is perfect for adding a dramatic touch to shaded pathways, woodland gardens, and underplantings. Its vibrant blooms attract early pollinators, while its silvery foliage creates a glowing backdrop for more textured or darker-leaved companions. Tough, deer resistant, and low maintenance, it’s a practical and ornamental choice for softening shaded spaces and weaving colour into the understory.

Companion Plants: Pair Lamium 'Purple Dragon' with Heuchera 'Plum Pudding' for rich purple foliage that echoes the lamium’s bloom colour. Add Carex 'Gold Fountains' for soft, arching grass blades with golden highlights that contrast beautifully with the silver carpet. Complete the palette with Athyrium 'Burgundy Lace', whose deep-hued fronds add height, structure, and a refined, dramatic finish.

Care Instructions: Plant in part to full shade in moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly during the first season and during extended dry periods. Shear back after the main bloom flush to refresh foliage and encourage rebloom. Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigour and manage spread.

History: A standout selection of Lamium maculatum, 'Purple Dragon' was bred for its larger flowers and vivid contrast between bloom and foliage. It remains a favourite in shade gardens for its bold floral display and fast-growing, weed-smothering habit.

Final Thoughts: With vibrant purple blooms and shimmering silver foliage, Lamium 'Purple Dragon' delivers colour, texture, and performance—turning shade into a stage for bold, beautiful groundcover.