Spotted deadnettle (Lamium maculatum 'Elisabeth de Haas')

Overview

Lamium maculatum ‘Elisabeth de Haas’, known commonly as Spotted deadnettle, is a highly valued herbaceous perennial renowned for its striking, variegated foliage that brightens deep shade conditions. This cultivar is specifically admired for its silvery-green leaves splashed with rich gold variegation, providing season-long interest even before its rose-pink flowers appear. As a mat-forming ground cover, Lamium maculatum ‘Elisabeth de Haas’ spreads readily via rooting stems, creating a dense, weed-suppressing carpet perfect for woodland gardens or beneath mature trees. Its low maintenance requirements and tolerance for tough growing spots make it an essential foundation plant for shading challenging areas in the landscape.

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: 1-1.5 ft
• Bloom Time: May to July
• Bloom Description: Rose-pink
• Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Plant Lamium maculatum ‘Elisabeth de Haas’ during the growing season, ideally in spring or early fall, to allow it time to establish a robust root system before facing temperature extremes. This Spotted deadnettle thrives best in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils situated in part shade to full shade. It prefers consistently moist, slightly acidic loams, making excellent drainage crucial, as it deeply dislikes wet soils, especially during winter dormancy.

Watering should be consistent, aiming to keep the soil evenly moist, though the plant shows good drought tolerance once established. Avoid high heat and humidity; keeping the soil cool aids in preventing mid-summer foliage decline, often termed ‘melting out.’ If unsightly bare patches appear during peak summer heat, simply prune or shear back the foliage cluster to encourage a rush of fresh, attractive growth until cooler weather returns. Leaf scorch is a risk if the plant dries out or receives too much direct afternoon sun.

When using this Spotted deadnettle as a ground cover, space starter plants about 6 to 10 inches apart to achieve rapid, dense coverage. While it will spread indefinitely, it is generally considered easy to control and is not overly aggressive in garden settings.

Landscape Uses

Lamium maculatum ‘Elizabeth de Haas’ excels as a small-scale ground cover, blanketing shady slopes and woodland walks where turf often struggles. Its impressive foliage ensures that the planting bed maintains visual structure all season long. While wonderful for edging beds, remember that its spread must be managed, as it will advance steadily over time.

This plant is an excellent choice for areas needing consistent color and texture beneath large deciduous trees where sunlight is limited. Though intolerant of foot traffic, it softens hardscape edges beautifully. Consider using Lamium maculatum ‘Elisabeth de Haas’ alongside other shade lovers like Hostas or Ferns, allowing the bright variegation of the Spotted deadnettle to contrast against solid green textures. It also performs well spilling over the sides of containers or hanging baskets, softening the edges.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Lamium maculatum, commonly called spotted deadnettle, is native to Europe and North Africa to West Asia. It is a mat-forming perennial ground cover that typically grows 5-8” tall but spreads indefinitely over time by sprawling stems which root in the ground as they go. Lamium maculatum ‘Elisabeth de Haas’ is noted for its variegated foliage of silvery-green splashed with rich gold variegation, complemented by rose-pink flowers. Genus name comes from the Greek laimos or lamos meaning throat in reference to the throat-like appearance of the corolla.

Tolerances

• Deer
• Drought
• Heavy Shade
• Dry Soil

Potential Problems

Generally, this plant avoids serious insect or disease issues, making it a low-maintenance choice. Occasional minor pests may include slugs or aphids, which can often be managed culturally or with spot treatments if necessary. Gardeners should monitor for fungal issues like leaf blight and leaf spots. The most common cultural issue is crown rot, which occurs exclusively when the plant is situated in poorly drained, overly wet soils, especially during winter. To keep the foliage looking its best, especially in hot, humid summers, be prepared to cut back or shear the plants if they begin to look diminished due to heat stress, prompting fresh growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Spotted deadnettle suitable for?

USDA Zones 3-8 indicates that Lamium maculatum ‘Elisabeth de Haas’ is quite cold-hardy and can tolerate a wide range of climates north to south.

How large does Spotted deadnettle grow?

When fully mature, this Spotted deadnettle typically reaches heights between 0.25 to 0.75 feet tall, spreading outwards to cover an area of 1 to 1.5 feet wide.

What sun exposure does Lamium maculatum ‘Elisabeth de Haas’ need?

This perennial requires partial shade to full shade conditions to thrive; excessive sun exposure can lead to unsightly leaf scorch.

When does Spotted deadnettle bloom?

The plant produces its charming rose-pink flowers reliably from May through July, providing color during the late spring and early summer transition.

Conclusion

The Spotted deadnettle, particularly the stunning cultivar Lamium maculatum ‘Elisabeth de Haas’, offers unmatched textural and color contrast for shady garden areas with minimal required effort. Its evergreen tendencies in milder zones and reliable mat-forming habit make it a top-tier, low-maintenance ground cover. Before planting, confirm your local USDA hardiness zone is suitable (3-8) and ensure its site offers the cool, dappled light it prefers.

Companion Planting

Choosing suitable neighbors for Lamium maculatum ‘Elisabeth de Haas’ involves pairing plants that share similar preferences for moisture and shade, ensuring a cohesive visual display. Consider using plants with upright habits, such as various tall ornamental grasses adapted to shade, or fine-textured ferns that complement the robust foliage of the Spotted deadnettle. For color contrast within the shade garden, plants with deep purples or blues, like certain Brunnera varieties or woodland Phlox, work exceptionally well against the silver and gold variegation.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Spring preparation for this Spotted deadnettle is straightforward; remove any accumulated winter debris and provide a light topdressing of compost if soil drainage is questionable. Summer vigilance requires checking moisture levels, particularly during heat waves, as consistent medium water keeps the foliage pristine and prevents heat-related dieback or ‘melting out.’ In late summer or early fall, if the plants look ragged from summer performance, shearing them back by one-third will encourage a fresh flush of attractive new foliage before winter dormancy sets in for Zones 3-7.