The perennial known as “golden nettle” thanks to its strong golden yellow flowers is quite similar to the white deadnettle (Lamium album), grows between 15 and 60 centimeters high and forms plenty of runners. The perennial occurs wild in the temperate climate zones of Eurasia. The plant is absolutely easy to care for when planted in the appropriate location.
What is a profile of the golden nettle?
The golden nettle (Lamium galeobdolon) is a perennial, herbaceous plant that grows to a height of 15-60 cm and has golden yellow flowers. It is undemanding, prefers semi-shady to shady locations and is suitable as an evergreen ground cover under trees or perennial bushes.
The golden nettle at a glance
- Botanical name: Lamium galeobdolon
- Popular names: false nettle, flower nettle
- Family: Mint family
- Genus: Deadnettle (Lamium)
- Origin: Central Europe
- Distribution: Central Europe, North America
- Location: semi-shady to shady locations in sparse forests or on the edges of forests
- Growth habit: herbaceous
- Perennial: yes
- Height: between 15 and 60 centimeters
- Flowers: zygomorphic
- Colours: golden yellow to pale yellow
- Flowering period: April to July
- Fruit: Split Fruit
- Leaves: lanceolate to broad heart-shaped, notched like a nettle on the edge
- Propagation: sowing, division or separation of rooted runners
- Sowing: March or April
- Winter hardiness: Yes
- Poisonousness: no, the whole plant is edible
- Use: Ground cover, as underplanting for light trees or perennial bushes
Ideal ground cover for shady locations
The golden nettle, which is also widespread in the wild, feels at home in almost any location as long as it is not in direct sun and the soil is nutrient-rich and as moist as possible. The plant feels most comfortable in a semi-shady to shady place, for example - as in the wild - under trees, groups of trees or in perennial bushes. The plant is often found in deciduous forests and parks.
Cultivate golden nettles in the garden or on the balcony
Due to the numerous above-ground runners, high shade tolerance and long flowering period, golden nettles are perfect as evergreen ground cover plants that feel very comfortable under trees or perennial bushes and quickly spread like a carpet. The silvery foliage of many varieties goes well with other ground cover plants such as ivy (Hedera helix), Günsel (Ajuga reptans), periwinkle (Vinca) and various geranium species. You should plant around six to eleven golden nettles per square meter.
Tip
The “Silver Carpet” variety has particularly distinctive leaves. In “Hermann’s Pride” the foliage is narrow and silvery between the veins. The golden nettle variety “Florentinum”, on the other hand, grows slightly taller and has silvery leaves that turn purple in winter.
