Spotted deadnettle (Lamium maculatum 'Dellam' GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY)

Overview

Lamium maculatum ‘Dellam’ GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY, commonly known as Spotted deadnettle, is an indispensable herbaceous perennial for adding brightness to deep shade gardens. Its primary appeal lies in its striking, tricolored foliage featuring chartreuse yellow margins, a dull green interior, and a bright whitish-silver center, which provides year-round visual interest. This cultivar is celebrated for being relatively tough, spreading as a vigorous, mat-forming ground cover that requires low maintenance once established.

Growing best in consistently cool, moist, and nicely drained soils, Spotted deadnettle provides excellent coverage where turf often fails, offering early season color with its delicate pink-lavender flowers topping the silver-splashed leaves. While it spreads readily by rooting stems, it is generally easy to control, making it a gardener-friendly option for softening borders or blanketing large shady expanses.

For gardeners seeking reliable texture and persistent light in dim corners, Lamium maculatum ‘Dellam’ GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY is a premier choice. It offers exceptional value due to its tolerance for deer browsing and dry soil conditions, characteristics that make it a workhorse in challenging shady landscapes across USDA Zones 3 through 8.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Lamiaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 0.25-0.75 ft
  • Spread: 0.5-1.5 ft
• Bloom Time: May to July
• Bloom Description: Pink-lavender
• Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

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How to Grow

Plant Lamium maculatum ‘Dellam’ GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY in the spring or fall, ensuring the location provides rich, well-drained soil that leans slightly acidic. This plant thrives in part shade to full shade conditions, disliking intense afternoon sun which can lead to leaf scorch. Optimal growth occurs when soils are kept evenly moist, particularly throughout the growing season, though it exhibits good drought tolerance once established.

Provide regular watering, especially during dry spells, as consistent moisture helps prevent the foliage from drying out or scorching. While fertile soils are appreciated, established plants generally require little fertilizer. If unsightly bare patches appear during extreme summer heat—often called “melting out”—do not hesitate to shear or cut the foliage back severely to promote a flush of fresh, healthy growth.

Care for Lamium maculatum ‘Dellam’ GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY is straightforward due to its low maintenance profile. Be mindful that this plant dislikes overly wet soils, particularly standing water during winter, which can lead to crown rot. In cooler climates, the foliage may die back in winter, but it remains evergreen where winters are mild. Spacing starter plants 6 to 10 inches apart ensures quick coverage if establishing it as a dense ground cover.

Landscape Uses

Lamium maculatum ‘Spotted deadnettle’ excels as a small-scale ground cover, perfect for filling in bare patches beneath mature trees or on shady slopes where grass struggles. Its vibrant variegation makes it an excellent textural contrast against darker greens or beneath taller, broad-leaved shade perennials. While it is effective as an EDGER, gardeners must monitor its spread, as the rooting stems can creep over hard borders if left unchecked.

This plant also performs beautifully when used in containers or hanging baskets, allowing the cascading stems to drape attractively over the edges, showcasing the unique foliage pattern of Lamium maculatum ‘Dellam’ GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY. When designing shady borders, pair Spotted deadnettle with complementary textures like Hostas or Ferns to maximize visual depth throughout the season. It is decidedly intolerant of foot traffic, so place it in areas viewed rather than walked upon.

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Lamium maculatum, commonly called spotted deadnettle, is known for spreading indefinitely by rooting stems, forming a dense mat, and sending up clusters of two-lipped flowers in late spring to early summer. The standout feature of the GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY cultivar is its highly variegated foliage, which boasts a chartreuse yellow margin, a dull green interior, and a striking whitish-silver center. This specific cultivar was derived from a natural mutation of Lamium maculatum ‘Gold Nuggets’ and received its plant patent in 2001.

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Tolerances

• Deer
• Drought
• Heavy Shade
• Dry Soil

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Potential Problems

Spotted deadnettle generally faces few serious pest or disease issues, contributing to its low maintenance rating. Occasionally, aphids or slugs may pose a minor threat that can usually be managed with simple horticultural oils or monitoring. The most significant cultural concern involves water management; crown rot is a risk if established in poorly drained, perpetually wet soils, especially during summer dormancy or winter.

In regions characterized by hot and humid summers, the attractive foliage of Lamium maculatum ‘Dellam’ GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY can suffer from decline, a condition known as “melting out.” To combat this aesthetic issue, prune the flagging stems back hard in mid-summer to encourage regrowth of fresher foliage before fall. The ‘GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY’ variety is particularly noted for its resistance to leaf scorch when cultural conditions aren’t perfect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Spotted deadnettle suitable for?

Lamium maculatum ‘Dellam’ GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY is robust enough for USDA Zones 3 through 8.

How large does Spotted deadnettle grow?

This perennial ground cover typically reaches a height between 0.25 and 0.75 feet, spreading modestly between 0.5 and 1.5 feet wide.

When does Spotted deadnettle bloom?

The pink-lavender flowers of Lamium maculatum ‘Dellam’ GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY usually appear between May and July.

What sun exposure does Spotted deadnettle need?

This plant will thrive best when placed in locations ranging from part shade to full shade, preferring cooler spots over intense, hot afternoon sun exposure.

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Conclusion

Lamium maculatum ‘Dellam’ GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY remains a superior, low-effort solution for brightening shady garden areas with its unique, silvery foliage pattern. As a versatile Spotted deadnettle, it suppresses weeds while offering reliable season-long color and structure. Before planting, ensure your site meets its preference for well-drained soil and check that your location falls within USDA Zones 3-8 for best results.

Companion Planting

Selecting compatible neighbors is key to creating a layered, successful shade garden around your Lamium maculatum ‘Dellam’ GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY. Look for shade-tolerant plants that offer textural contrast without aggressively competing for surface roots, as the Spotted deadnettle spreads via rooting stems. Good companions include traditional shade standards like Hosta varieties, especially those with blue or gold foliage, as the chartreuse margins of the Lamium echo gold tones beautifully.

Consider pairing this low-growing perennial with taller, less spreading structure plants such as Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra) or various native woodland ferns. These combinations benefit from the consistent ground coverage provided by the Lamium, which prevents bare soil exposure and maintains a fuller look throughout the season. Remember that Spotted deadnettle prefers cooler soils, so avoid companions that require persistent heat or intense summer sun.

Design Ideas for Variegated Foliage

The tricolor leaves of Lamium maculatum ‘Dellam’ GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY make it a fantastic choice for guiding the eye through a shaded border. Plant drifts of the GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY near the edge of a path where its bright centers can catch filtering light, drawing attention to the transition zone between the lawn or walkway and taller plantings. Its semi-evergreen nature in many regions means it provides essential winter structure when many deciduous perennials have died back.

Use this plant creatively in shaded containers, mixing it with vertically oriented plants that have dark green or burgundy foliage. The contrast between the dense, low-mounding form of the Lamium and the upright structure of plants like small Japanese maples or shade-tolerant grasses creates immediate high impact. When massed beneath deciduous trees, the brightness of the variegation helps illuminate the otherwise dim understory.