Skip to product information
1 of 2

Purple Dragon Lamium

Purple Dragon Lamium

LAMIUM 'Purple Dragon'

Blooms Spring through Summer
Safe delivery guaranteed
Ships as 4"
View full details
Common Name(s)
Spotted Dead Nettle
Sunlight
Partial Sun / Shade (3-6 hrs) or Full Shade (0-3 hrs)
Perennial Zones
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Watering
Let dry
Max Height
6"–1'
Max Spread
Over 24"
Special Features
Ground cover
Garden Design Role
Ground cover
Bloom Season
Spring, Summer
Lifespan
Perennial
Growing Habit
Ground cover
Drought Resistance
Moderate drought resistance
Bloom Color
Purple
Foliage Color
Green, Silver, Variegated
Stem Color
Green, Purple/Black
Themes
Cool Blue, Pretty in Pink, Gothic, Confetti, Sunset, Pastel
Genus
Lamium
Family
Lamiaceae
Ship Size
4"

Purple Dragon Lamium (Lamium maculatum Purple Dragon) is a striking perennial designed to brighten the darkest corners of your garden. Unlike older varieties that can be overly aggressive, 'Purple Dragon' is prized for its well-behaved, semi-evergreen habit and its exceptionally large, snapdragon-like flowers in a rich, saturated deep purple.

As a robust member of the Lamium genus (commonly known as Spotted Deadnettle), this variety features stunning heart-shaped leaves that are almost entirely shimmering silver with a narrow margin of deep green. This luminous foliage provides multi-season interest, acting as a natural "reflector" in shade gardens, woodland borders, and mixed containers. It is an incredibly resilient plant—tolerating drought, deer, heavy clay, and coastal conditions—making it a dependable choice for difficult spots where other ground covers might struggle.

Why you’ll love it:

  • Extra-Large Blooms: Features significantly larger and darker purple flowers than traditional Lamium varieties.
  • Luminous Silver Foliage: Shimmering leaves add a bright, "glowing" effect to shaded patio pots and garden beds.
  • Versatile Spiller: Works beautifully as a ground cover or as a cascading element in shade-loving hanging baskets.
  • Low Maintenance & Tough: Highly resistant to deer and drought; thrives in poor soil and heavy clay.
  • Non-Invasive Habit: Bred to be more compact and controllable than standard Spotted Deadnettle.

This 4-inch healthy live plant thrives in partial to full shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil, though it is surprisingly drought-tolerant once established. Reaching a height of 4–8 inches with a graceful spreading habit, it quickly creates a soft, colorful carpet that suppresses weeds. Hardy in USDA Zone 4, Purple Dragon Lamium is a must-have for anyone looking to add high-contrast color to a low-light landscape.