Spotted Deadnettle Lamium maculatum 'Pink Pewter'
ABOUT
The plant known as 'Pink Pewter' is a variety of the spotted deadnettle, showcasing a distinctive and ornamental appearance. Its leaves are especially striking, with heart-shaped to ovate bases and an eye-catching silver variegation overlaying a green backdrop. This variegation typically sits in the center of the leaf, bordered by an irregular green margin. The silver area may sometimes encompass almost the whole leaf, creating a shimmering effect. As the name 'Pink Pewter' suggests, this plant boasts delicate pink flowers that provide a soft contrast to the boldly patterned foliage. The flowers are small, tubular, and grow in whorls from the leaf axils, giving the overall appearance of a tiered arrangement along the square stems characteristic of this family of plants. These blossoms are a favorite for pollinators such as bees, which are attracted to the nectar and the vibrant coloration. The overall growth habit of 'Pink Pewter' tends to be low-spreading and mat-forming, often used as groundcover because of its dense and attractive foliage which remains throughout the season. Its general appearance is lush and robust, with the variegated leaves providing a lively texture and color contrast in garden settings. This attractive and versatile plant is valued for the combination of its decorative leaves and blossoms, making it a popular choice for adding visual interest to shaded garden areas where it can create a beautiful tapestry-like effect on the ground.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Spotted Dead Nettle, Spotted Henbit, Purple Dragon.
Common names
Lamium maculatum 'Pink Pewter'.
ToxicityTo humans
Spotted deadnettle is generally considered non-toxic to humans. Therefore, ingesting parts of the plant typically does not cause any significant or harmful symptoms. However, as with any plant, individual sensitivities can occur, and it's always wise to avoid eating ornamental plants.
To pets
For pets, Spotted deadnettle is also considered non-toxic. Ingesting this plant should not cause any serious symptoms of poisoning in pets such as cats or dogs. Nonetheless, pets can have individual allergies or sensitivities, and consuming non-food items can sometimes result in gastrointestinal upset.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Variegated
Flower color
Pink
Height
6-12 inches (15-30 cm)
Spread
1-3 feet (30-90 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Groundcover: Quickly fills in spaces with a carpet of variegated foliage and pink flowers.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it can handle periods of low water, making it suitable for xeriscaping or dry gardens.
- Shade Tolerant: Thrives in shady areas where other plants might struggle, making it ideal for woodland gardens.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal upkeep beyond the occasional trimming back to keep it looking neat.
- Pest Resistance: Generally resistant to deer and rabbits which helps to prevent browsing damage.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers year-round visual appeal with its foliage and flowers blooming in late spring and summer.
- Erosion Control: Its dense growth habit helps stabilize soil, preventing erosion on slopes or banks.
- Attracts Pollinators: Flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Ground Cover: 'Pink Pewter' Spotted Dead Nettle is frequently utilized as a decorative ground cover due to its ability to spread rapidly and form dense mats that suppress weeds.
- Shade Garden Accent: Its variegated foliage and tolerance for shade make it an excellent choice for adding color and texture to darker sections of the garden.
- Living Mulch: The plant's dense growth habit allows it to act as a living mulch, helping to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature around more delicate plants.
- Container Gardening: It is suitable for containers where its trailing stems can spill over the edges, providing an attractive display in hanging baskets or elevated planters.
- Butterfly and Bee Attraction: The flowers of 'Pink Pewter' attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, adding ecological value to the garden space.
- Erosion Control: Its robust root system makes it an excellent candidate for stabilizing soil on slopes or areas prone to erosion.
- Floral Arrangements: The leaves and flowers can be used in floral arrangements to provide a variegated green accent.
- Border Planting: It is often used to create defined borders along pathways or around garden beds due to its neat growth habit.
- Winter Interest: In mild winter regions, 'Pink Pewter' can stay evergreen, providing visual interest during the colder months.
- Companion Planting: Specialists may use it in companion planting strategies to aesthetically complement surrounding perennials and shrubs with its contrasting foliage.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiSpotted Deadnettle is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilitySpotted Deadnettle is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Concealment: Spotted Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum 'Pink Pewter') has a variegated foliage that can blend into its surroundings, symbolizing the idea of hiding or blending in with the environment.
- Persistence: As a hardy ground cover, Spotted Dead Nettle represents resilience and the ability to thrive in various conditions.
- Protection: The dense mat of leaves can symbolize shelter and protection for smaller creatures, highlighting the plant’s role in a garden ecosystem.
- Balance: The dual-colored leaves may represent balance and harmony, reflecting the integration of different aspects of life.
WaterSpotted Dead Nettle prefers consistently moist but well-drained soil. During the first growing season, water the plant deeply once a week, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings to encourage root growth. Once established, you should reduce watering to every two weeks, unless there are extended periods of drought. Each watering session should provide enough water to saturate the root zone. Depending on the size of the plant and the weather conditions, this might range from 1 to 2 gallons per session.
LightSpotted Dead Nettle thrives best in partial to full shade conditions, particularly in the heat of the afternoon. It can tolerate morning sun but should be protected from intense midday rays. An ideal spot is under the dappled light of a tree canopy or on the north side of a building where it receives filtered sunlight.
TemperatureSpotted Dead Nettle is a hardy plant that can survive in a range of temperatures but performs best between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can generally withstand frost down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit and can tolerate high temperatures up to around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, as long as it is not in direct sunlight.
PruningSpotted Dead Nettle benefits from occasional pruning to maintain shape, encourage bushier growth, and remove any discolored or damaged foliage. The best time to prune is in early spring or immediately after flowering to refresh the plant's appearance. Pruning can be done every year or every other year as needed, using clean, sharp shears to trim the plant back by about a third.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSpotted Dead Nettle thrives in a well-draining soil mix rich in organic matter with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. A mix of garden soil, compost, and a bit of perlite or sand can create an ideal growing medium for this plant.
RepottingSpotted Dead Nettle does not typically require frequent repotting. It can be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it has outgrown its current container to ensure continued growth.
Humidity & MistingSpotted Dead Nettle prefers moderate humidity levels but is adaptable to a range of conditions. This plant does not have specific requirements for humidity and tolerates the average indoor environment well.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and water when topsoil is dry.
Outdoor
Partial shade, moist well-drained soil, and spaced 12 inches apart.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleDead Nettle 'Pink Pewter' begins its life as a seed which germinates in spring, requiring a moist, shady environment to sprout. Seedlings emerge and establish themselves into vegetative plants, which form a mat-like ground cover with distinctive silver-striped leaves and soft stems. During late spring to summer, it enters the flowering stage, producing pink, hood-like flowers that attract pollinators such as bees. After pollination, the plant produces small nutlets as fruits which contain the seeds for the next generation. Throughout the growing season, Dead Nettle 'Pink Pewter' can also propagate vegetatively through stolons that root at the nodes to create new plants. As a perennial, it dies back to the ground in fall or winter, depending on the climate, and enters a period of dormancy before resuming growth in the next spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The Spotted Deadnettle, specifically the 'Pink Pewter' cultivar, is best propagated during the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. The most popular method is by division, where clumps of the plant are carefully separated into smaller sections, each with a good root system and several shoots. To do this, gently dig up an established clump and use your hands or a sharp knife to divide the root ball into smaller pieces, ensuring each new section has roots and foliage. These divisions can then be immediately replanted in a prepared area of the garden or in pots with well-draining soil, spaced about 12 to 18 inches (approximately 30 to 45 centimeters) apart. Ample watering after planting helps the new divisions establish quickly. Dividing Spotted Deadnettle is not only an easy way to propagate the plant but also helps to revitalize older clumps that may have become woody or less vigorous.
