Lamium, Spotted Dead Nettle 'Beacon Silver'

Lamiummaculatum

Family
Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Lamium (LAY-mee-um)
Species
maculatum (mak-yuh-LAH-tum)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Partial to Full Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Good Fall Color
Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Pink
Bloom Time
Blooms repeatedly
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Bronze
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From herbaceous stem cuttings
By simple layering
By serpentine layering
Seed Collecting
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Seward, Alaska

Bell, California

Fullerton, California

Lawndale, California

Silverado, California

Denver, Colorado

Brookfield, Connecticut

East Canaan, Connecticut(2 reports)

Guilford, Connecticut

Marietta, Georgia

Gurnee, Illinois

Hampton, Illinois

Indianapolis, Indiana

Inwood, Iowa

Sioux Center, Iowa

Sioux City, Iowa

Prospect, Kentucky

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Ellicott City, Maryland

Marlborough, Massachusetts

Reading, Massachusetts

Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

Clinton Township, Michigan

Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Hastings, Michigan

Nashville, Michigan

Royal Oak, Michigan

Saginaw, Michigan

Scottville, Michigan

Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Hopkins, Minnesota

Kasota, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Olive Branch, Mississippi

Kirksville, Missouri

Piedmont, Missouri

New Providence, New Jersey

Glen Head, New York

Jefferson, New York

Redwood, New York

Southold, New York

Mount Airy, North Carolina

Belfield, North Dakota

Canton, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio

Fremont, Ohio

Grove City, Ohio

Louisville, Ohio

Purcell, Oklahoma

Burritts Rapids, Ontario

Portland, Oregon

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Emmaus, Pennsylvania

Hawley, Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Crossville, Tennessee

Boerne, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas

Salt Lake City, Utah

Herndon, Virginia

Leesburg, Virginia

Nokesville, Virginia

Springfield, Virginia

Spokane, Washington

Appleton, Wisconsin

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

New Richmond, Wisconsin

Racine, Wisconsin

show all

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Gardener's Notes:

16
positives
4
neutrals
1
negative
Sort By:
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M
Eden Prairie, MN (Zone 4b) | June 2023 | positive

Excellent plant here in Zone 4b Twin Cities. Under a mature tree in our front yard, this plant has slowly expanded in difficult growing c...Read More

C
Stanwood, MI | July 2016 | positive

I love this as a ground cover! I live in a private association that is over 6000 acres so needless to say, the deer are an absolute NIGHT...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | March 2016 | positive

A great perennial in New England. This doesn't survive long south of Z8.

C
Portland, OR | October 2013 | positive

I have it growing on the north side of house between vine maples and among Vancouveriana hexandra and Heuchera 'Key Lime Pie'. Brightens ...Read More

P
P
(Arlene) Southold, NY (Zone 7a) | March 2013 | negative

Self-seeds to the extreme. I wish I had known before I planted it.

J
FLEETVILLE, PA | February 2012 | positive

I purchased a small package of this plant at a nursery, and planted it on the north mostly shaded side in the border against the house. ...Read More

K
Milwaukee, WI (Zone 5b) | July 2010 | positive

I love this plant. It has thrived beautifully in a full sun contained area as an underplanting to a sapling red japanese maple.
...Read More

J
Redwood, NY | July 2009 | positive

"Recently BOTH plants have suddenly changed bloom colors to white. There is still some pink flowering but mostly white now...amazing."...Read More

D
Saskatoon, SK (Zone 3a) | June 2009 | neutral

I put this in a west-facing flower bed. I don't think it appreciated the long, cold spring we had this year, since it was small and with...Read More

N
N
Ellicott City, MD (Zone 7a) | May 2006 | positive

2008 update: My Beacon Silver is starting it's fifth year and it is currently bullying a dwarf holly bush, a dwarf azalea, and my hosta -...Read More

G
Hampton, IL (Zone 5a) | May 2005 | positive

This is a great little perennial for a shady spot. It spreads some and has lovely pink flower heads. It really brightens up the shade a...Read More

K
K
Kirksville, MO (Zone 5a) | July 2004 | positive

I am relatively new to gardening, and this is one of the first plants I planted. I put it in front of hosta plants on "my side" of my ne...Read More

O
Fullerton, CA | May 2004 | positive

I am growing this plant in Fullerton, California (Southern California). I originally planted it under an avocado tree and it did really ...Read More

K
North Scituate, RI (Zone 6a) | April 2004 | neutral

A very pretty plant, but don't put it where it can encroach on others: can be very invasive, but is easily removed.

T
Shrewsbury, MA | April 2004 | positive

I planted this in a woody shady area on a hill. Within a month of planting this it tripled in size. We had a very warm summer last year...Read More

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | April 2004 | positive

Excellent groundcover - flowers off and on from spring to fall. It can be planted under trees, too.

S
S
Centerbrook, CT | September 2003 | neutral

Having an interesting experience with this plant. I have two plants. They have been flowering reliably in purplish pink for a good part o...Read More

S
Mississauga, ON (Zone 6a) | July 2003 | positive

Wonderful edging plant that looks great with lime colored Creeping Jenny/Moneywort & darker foliage plants such as Heuchera/Coral Bells. ...Read More

L
Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) | May 2003 | positive

Stunning combined with bamboo and ornamental grasses!

N
Morris, IL (Zone 5b) | May 2002 | positive

Needs even moisture to look its best, but it is one of my favorites for shade. Silver foliage and deep pink blooms really stand out. Make...Read More

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | May 2002 | neutral

Silver foliage with thin green markings

Featured
Orange Tip Butterfly
(Anthocharis cardamines)
Chipping Sparrow
(Spizella passerina)
Featured
Orange Tip Butterfly
(Anthocharis cardamines)
Chipping Sparrow
(Spizella passerina)