Spotted deadnettle (Lamium maculatum 'White Nancy')
Lamium maculatum 'White Nancy', Spotted deadnettle, is a low-maintenance perennial ground cover featuring silvery-white leaves and white spring blooms.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’, commonly known as Spotted deadnettle, offers exceptional ground coverage, especially valuable for brightening deep shade areas in the landscape. This herbaceous perennial forms a dense mat via sprawling, rooting stems, making it an effective, non-aggressive spreader once established. Its primary appeal lies in its highly variegated foliage—silvery-white leaves bordered in green—which maintains visual interest long after the white flowers fade.
The robust nature of Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’ makes it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners battling challenging, shaded conditions. It thrives where many turf grasses and sun-loving ground covers fail, providing textural contrast with its medium green and silver leaves. While it flowers in late spring to early summer, the persistent foliage of Spotted deadnettle is the true star.
Gardeners appreciate this plant for its ability to quickly cover large areas, suppressing weeds while offering deer resistance. Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’ is an excellent architectural component for dark borders, woodland gardens, and beneath mature trees, bringing light to otherwise dim spaces.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-0.75 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: May to July
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’ during the spring or fall for the best establishment. This Spotted deadnettle variety prefers average, well-drained soils. While it appreciates moisture, ensure the site drains effectively, as prolonged wetness, especially in winter, can lead to crown rot. It thrives best in part shade to full shade; too much direct sun can cause leaf scorch.
Keep the soil evenly moist, particularly during hot, dry spells, as drying out exacerbates scorch potential. Fertilizing is rarely required if the native soil structure is reasonably healthy. For rapid ground coverage, space starter plants about 6 to 10 inches apart when establishing large swaths of Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’.
In mid-summer, particularly in hot, humid climates, the foliage of Spotted deadnettle may decline, a process known as “melting out.” If this occurs, shear or cut back the existing growth; the plant will usually regenerate with fresh, attractive leaves. This resilient perennial is evergreen in milder winter regions, requiring minimal cleanup other than this mid-season trim.
Landscape Uses
Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’ excels as a small-scale ground cover blanket for shady slopes or under trees where lawn establishment is impractical. Its vigorous stems spread indefinitely, anchoring soil and reducing erosion in difficult areas. It should be sited where it won’t be subjected to foot traffic, as it is decidedly intolerant of being walked upon.
Use it effectively along borders or pathways where its spread can be managed, perhaps confined by edging materials. The bright, silvery foliage of this Spotted deadnettle variety creates a stunning contrast when placed near dark green hostas, deep purple heucheras, or fine-textured ferns. It also performs well as a spiller in shaded hanging baskets or containers, softening hard edges.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Lamium maculatum, commonly called spotted deadnettle, is native to Europe and North Africa to West Asia. ‘White Nancy’ typically grows 6-8” high and spreads to 2-3’ wide with variegated silvery-white leaves with greenish margins, contrasting beautifully with its small white flowers. This mat-forming perennial spreads via sprawling stems that root into the ground, offering vigorous yet generally controllable coverage.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Drought
- Heavy Shade
- Dry Soil
Potential Problems
This plant enjoys a reputation for having no serious insect or disease problems, though gardeners should remain vigilant. Occasional pests might include slugs or aphids needing treatment. Ensure excellent soil drainage to prevent serious issues like crown rot, which occurs when saturation causes root and crown decay, particularly over winter. Foliage decline or “melting out” is a common aesthetic challenge during intense summer heat and humidity, remedied by shearing the plant back to encourage fresh regrowth. Leaf scorch is another risk if the plant receives too much sun or if the soil dries out excessively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’ suitable for?
Spotted deadnettle, specifically the ‘White Nancy’ cultivar, performs best in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8.
How large does Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’ grow?
This perennial typically reaches a height between 0.5 and 0.75 feet, spreading horizontally to cover an area between 2 and 3 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’ need?
For optimal growth and foliage appearance, Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’ requires part shade conditions, though it tolerates full shade well.
When does Spotted deadnettle bloom?
The small white flowers of Spotted deadnettle usually appear consistently from May through July.
Conclusion
Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’ is an indispensable, low-maintenance ground cover renowned for its vibrant, silvery foliage that brightens the deepest shade. The reliable performance and deer resistance of this Spotted deadnettle make it a garden favorite. Before planting, confirm your site aligns with USDA Zones 3-8 and provides adequate drainage for long-term success.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’, focus on plants that share its tolerance for medium moisture and heavy shade conditions. Bulbs that emerge early, like snowdrops or minor bulbs, are excellent foreground accents before the Lamium fully spreads. For textural contrast, pair it with Hosta varieties that feature yellow or blue foliage, as the bright silver of the Spotted deadnettle will make those colors pop in the dappled light.
Consider pairing it with woodland astilbes or Tiarella (Foamflower) varieties. These companions share similar cultural needs concerning moisture and shade, ensuring that the entire planting scheme remains vigorous throughout the growing season without requiring specialized care for any single element of Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’.
Propagation Tips
Spotted deadnettle is remarkably easy to propagate due to its growth habit. The cascading stems naturally root where they touch the soil, making division a simple method for expansion. In spring or early fall, gently lift sections of established clumps that include roots and share them with other areas of your garden. Alternatively, take stem tip cuttings in summer when the plant is actively growing. These cuttings root quickly when placed directly into moist soil or water, allowing for cost-effective mass planting of Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’.
