Mistakes Everyone Makes When Growing Purple Dragon Ground Cover

Finding the perfect low-growing plant that is easy to tend and fits your landscape needs is challenging, but one popular flowering ground cover is the 'Purple Dragon'. Also known as a creeping Lamium (Lamium maculatum 'Purple Dragon'), 'Purple Dragon' is an excellent plant to use as a ground cover and can offer a striking pop of color. Creeping Lamium is a herbaceous perennial plant and a member of the mint family. The plants are known for their silver and green leaves and the purple hooded flowers that bloom in the spring and early summer. Creeping Lamium also grows fast and is deer and rabbit resistant, making it a favorable choice for gardens. The 'Purple Dragon' plant originates from Europe but is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8. Knowing the common mistakes people make when tending to 'Purple Dragon,' like giving it too much sunlight, overwatering, and not controlling growth is key for a thriving ground cover that elevates the appearance of your landscaping.

Though the plant is popular because of its purple color and ability to grow fast, many people make the error of putting creeping Lamium too close together. It is recommended to plant 'Purple Dragon' at least 12 inches apart, so it has room to develop. The plants can expand up to two feet and if they're too close together, the foliage will quickly overwhelm the area.

In addition to putting them too close together, a common mistake when planting 'Purple Dragons' is growing them in the wrong location. Though these plants can live in sunlight, they thrive in the shade and prefer darker and cooler placements. To make sure your creeping Lamium can flourish, consider planting it in an area with full to partial shade. Another error with the 'Purple Dragon' is overwatering or constantly keeping the plant in a damp environment. Creeping Lamium prefers moist soil, but can be prone to stem rot or contract a plant disease called leaf spot if left in wet soil conditions for too long.

Failing to keep 'Purple Dragon' under control in your garden is another common misstep. The plant is a notoriously fast-spreading ground cover that can take over a garden quickly. To keep a 'Purple Dragon' from overgrowing, edge your planting area with bricks or pavers. It's also important to remove stray 'Purple Dragon' growths that pop up before they get a chance to spread further.