The perennial, known as "golden nettle" thanks to its bright golden yellow flowers, is quite similar to the white dead nettle (Lamium album), grows to a height of between 15 and 60 centimeters and forms plenty of runners. The perennial occurs wild in the temperate climate zones of Eurasia. The plant is absolutely easy to care for when planted in the right place.

The golden nettle belongs to the dead nettles

The gold nettle at a glance

  • Botanical name: Lamium galeobdolon
  • Common names: false nettle, flower nettle
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Genus: Deadnettles (Lamium)
  • Origin: Central Europe
  • Distribution: Central Europe, North America
  • Location: semi-shady to shady locations in sparse forests or at the edges of forests
  • Growth form: herbaceous
  • Perennial: yes
  • Height: between 15 and 60 centimeters
  • flowers: zygomorphic
  • Colours: golden yellow to pale yellow
  • Flowering time: April to July
  • Fruit: split fruit
  • Leaves: lanceolate to broadly heart-shaped, notched like nettles at the edge
  • Propagation: Sowing, division or separation of rooted offshoots
  • Sow: March or April
  • Hardiness: yes
  • Toxicity: no, the whole plant is edible
  • Utilization: Ground cover, as underplanting for light trees or perennial bushes

Ideal ground cover for shady locations

The golden nettle, which is also widespread in the wild, feels at home in almost any location, as long as it is not in direct sunlight and the soil is nutrient-rich and as moist as possible. The plant feels most comfortable in a partially shaded to shady place, for example - as in the wild - under trees, groups of trees or shrubs. The plant is often found in deciduous forests and parks.

Cultivate golden nettles in the garden or on the balcony

Due to the numerous runners above ground, the high degree of shade tolerance and the long flowering period, golden nettles are perfect as evergreen ground covers, which feel very comfortable under trees and shrubs and quickly spread out like a carpet. The foliage, which is silvery in many varieties, goes well with other groundcovers such as ivy (Hedera helix), Günsel (Ajuga reptans), periwinkle (Vinca) and various geranium species. You should plant about six to eleven golden nettles per square meter.

tips

The "Silver Carpet" variety has particularly distinctive leaves. In 'Hermann's Pride' the foliage is narrow and silvery between the veins. The "Florentinum" variety, on the other hand, grows a little taller and has silvery leaves that turn purple in winter.

Category:

Herbs