Mistakes Everyone Makes When Growing 'Purple Dragon' Lamium As A Ground Cover

With its striking foliage and delicate flowers, 'Purple Dragon' lamium (Lamium maculatum) is a showstopper — but it's also a scene-stealer. This versatile flowering ground cover that thrives in sun or shade will take up as much space as you allow, making it a great filler plant when properly managed. Growing well in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 9, 'Purple Dragon' lamium grows well in partially-shaded spots or deep shade areas of your yard. However, care needs to be taken when it's planted near the edges of flower beds or lawns, as it has a tendency to spread beyond its bounds. While lamiums are sometimes called deadnettles, no need to worry — they don't sting. Instead, these beautiful flowers add charm and softness to your garden through their delicate blooms. 

One of the most common mistakes made is allowing 'Purple Dragon' lamium to crowd out nearby plants. When planting this ground cover, additional thought needs to be given to the plants around it. If they are too low to the ground, they'll have to compete with the 'Purple Dragon' for space and sunlight, and they'll lose. Instead, this plant is best planted near large, upright plants such as ostrich ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris), bleeding hearts (Dicentra spectabilis), hellebore (Helleborus ×hybridus), or hostas (Hosta plantaginea, Hosta sieboldiana). With the right companion plants for 'Purple Dragon' lamium, it can be a great addition to your garden. 

While 'Purple Dragon' lamium is a hardy plant, a little care goes a long way to keep it looking its best. Another mistake frequently made is forgetting to take care of it after blooming by deadheading the dying flowers. This is when you trim away the faded blooms using a tool such as these VIVOSUN Gardening Scissors. You may wonder if deadheading is truly necessary, and the answer is yes!  This process allows the plant to redirect its energy towards creating new beautiful flowers and can extend the blooming season. With just a bit of attention, your 'Purple Dragon' will reward you with vibrant, fresh blooms.

Another mistake you could make would be not to prune your lamium annually.  At the end of the blooming season, prune back any dead or overgrown stems to allow them to grow back fresh next year. This is also a good time to make sure your lamium hasn't expanded into any areas you don't want it to. Prune back any unwanted growth with pruning shears such as Fiskars Bypass Pruning Shears, and don't forget to wear gloves similar to these KKOYING Leather Work Gloves. If your 'Purple Dragon' has grown too dense, this is the perfect opportunity to divide the clumps and replant them. By spending a little time working with your plants at the end of the season, you'll ensure these perennials are ready to come back next spring in their full glory.