9 Varieties Of Lamium That Make Excellent Ground Cover Plants

When you think of a garden, it's easy to picture the show-stopping stars. Whether it's those beautiful spring annuals, the perfectly pruned shrubs, or the bountiful fruit trees, some plants just have that major main-character energy. But garden stars wouldn't be so eye-catching if it weren't for the supporting cast of hardworking plants working to tie it all together. That's where ground covers step in. These plants fill in bare spots with color and texture, all while keeping weeds in check and the soil healthy. In short, they're essential, and they deserve a bit more credit. One way to add a little extra pizzazz to your ground cover game is by choosing a flowering variety, and that's where lamium shines.

Lamium is a popular and gorgeous ground cover plant that's also commonly called deadnettle. It's got a bit of a bad reputation because some of its varieties are considered invasive plants you should never grow in parts of the United States. Nonetheless, its ability to cover lots of ground and spread quickly in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8 is exactly what makes it a fantastic ground cover. Just make sure you know which varieties to choose.

One thing to keep in mind is that different lamium varieties might act differently depending on the area. Because climates and native flora vary from region to region, some lamium varieties advertised as non-invasive might still be considered so in your particular location. For example, yellow archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon) and its subspecies are classified as invasive in the Pacific Northwest and even the west coast of Canada, but not in other areas, such as Wisconsin. Lamium maculatum, also called spotted deadnettle, is another group that tends to be less invasive. However, it's always good to check local registries of invasive species before planting.

Lamium maculatum 'White Nancy' is a stunning ground cover that has delicate white flowers and light green, almost white leaves that have a darker edge around them. This variety grows to be about 12 inches tall, and it spreads out to create a dense mat. It does well in partial shade and can add some dimension to garden beds and containers. The 'White Nancy' variety is not as invasive as some other options, but it is vigorous. 

Lamium maculatum 'Orchid Frost' has similar small silver-like leaves, which make it look almost covered in a layer of frost. The flowers are a purple-pink tone, which makes them a great option for colorful gardens. This type of lamium is a fast grower, but it's manageable, which prevents it from becoming invasive. These can thrive in shady spots of your garden, which makes them a good option to go under thicker trees and shrubs.

Lamium maculatum 'Purple Dragon' gets its dramatic name from its vibrant flowers. These have larger hooded blooms that are intricate and have a deep purple color. They have light, silvery leaves with green edges, which can breathe life into dark and patchy corners of your garden. These can spread out to cover lots of ground, but they're not generally considered invasive when well-kept. They're short and stay close to the ground, reaching only about 8 inches when mature. 

Lamium maculatum 'Shell Pink' is a stunning flowering ground cover that has light, almost baby pink flowers. These grow to be about 8 inches tall and do well in the shade. The great thing about this variety is that it has excellent flower coverage, meaning it will give you tons of blooms and really liven up your garden when used as a ground cover. As with many deadnettles, these are vigorous growers, but they are manageable. 

The 'Red Nancy' spotted deadnettle is a wonderful ground cover if you're looking for some high-impact and eye-catching blooms to liven up your garden, especially thanks to its excellent flower coverage abilities. Despite the name, these are not red, but rather a pinkish red or deep pink hue. These flowers pop on the cool, silvery green leaves that spread to cover the ground. They're good for shady areas, and they grow to be about 8 inches tall. Like other spotted deadnettles, they're not necessarily invasive, but require some management. 

The 'Pink Chablis' deadnettle is a delicate and graceful option for a mat-forming ground cover. It has small flowers that are a light, almost white pink color. Their leaves have that stunning frosted look that helps brighten up shady and dark garden spots, while adding a bit of lush foliage to effectively cover exposed dirt. They're romantic, easy to care for, do great in shade, and they're a bit larger than some other options, reaching nearly 1 foot tall in some cases. 

Lamiastrum galeobdolon 'Herman's Pride' is a great option for yellow lovers. It does well in shade and can grow a bit taller, to about 1 foot tall. These are not spotted deadnettles, but rather a type of yellow archangel Lamium galeobdolon (as opposed to Lamium maculatum). Typically, this type of lamium is considered much more invasive and troublesome than spotted deadnettles, but that's not the case everywhere. While this particular variety of yellow archangel can grow and spread slowly, there are some areas of the country where you want to steer clear, like the Pacific Northwest.

'Album' spotted deadnettles are a stunning option that stays low to the ground, growing only about 8 inches tall at most. It has pretty white hooded flowers that detach themselves well against the darker, green leaves of the plant that have just a touch of white at their center. This is a great option if you're looking for a more saturated green foliage to use as ground cover, as opposed to the lighter, frosted leaves of some other lamium varieties. 

'Beacon Silver' spotted deadnettles are another great option to create a mat-like effect, thanks to their short size (about 8 or 9 inches) and thick foliage. These have purple and pink flowers that grow in dense clusters, and some of those typical silver leaves with dark green edges. 'Beacon Silver' lamium is a great choice for shaded gardens in need of a ground cover to help other, more show-stopping plants shine.