Purple Dragon Deadnettle

Common Names

Spotted Deadnettle, Dead Nettle, Variegated Deadnettle, Spotted Henbit, Devil's Nettle, Devil's Clover, St Vincent's Nettle, Double Tongue, Purple Dragon

Summary

Spotted dead-nettle is a creeping, mat-forming perennial in the mint family native to Europe and temperate Asia. It stays low (6–9 in tall) and spreads 12–24 in to form dense ground cover; leaves are heart-shaped to triangular with silver markings, and tubular flowers appear in clusters of purple, pink, or white in late spring to early summer, attracting bees and other pollinators.

Preferring partial to full shade, it thrives in evenly moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil and tolerates a wide soil pH (roughly 5.5–8). Hardy in USDA zones 3–8; it spreads via runners and can be propagated by division or cuttings; prune after flowering to maintain bushiness. Common uses include ground cover for shade gardens, underplanting of shrubs, beds, borders, and containers; pests such as slugs, snails, and aphids may occur, and leaf spots or crown/root rot can arise in poorly drained conditions.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-12 inches

Spread

1-2 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Partial shade to full shade; may tolerate full sun in mild climates.

Soil Type

Loamy, well-drained soil that stays evenly moist and humus-rich, with a pH range of 5.5–8 and tolerance for calcareous or siliceous soils

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, moist soil.

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Pink, Purple, White

Bloom Time

Spring, Summer and Fall

Foliage Color

Green, gray, silver, silver-green, variegated green and silver foliage

Fall Foliage Color

Chartreuse

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Rapid growth; can spread up to two feet or more per year

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Cuttings, Layering, Runners

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees