Purple Deadnettle: A Hardy Early Bloomer for Your Garden
If you’ve ever noticed small purple flowers popping up in early spring when most other plants are still sleeping, you’ve likely encountered purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum var. purpureum). This plucky little annual has a knack for showing up just when you need a splash of color most, though it comes with both benefits and considerations for the mindful gardener.
What Exactly is Purple Deadnettle?
Despite its somewhat ominous common name, purple deadnettle is completely harmless – the nettle part refers to its resemblance to stinging nettle, though it lacks any stinging properties. This cheerful forb grows as an annual, meaning it completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. It’s a member of the mint family, which explains its square stems and the pleasant, slightly minty aroma when crushed.
Purple deadnettle is characterized by its heart-shaped leaves that often display attractive purple tinges, especially on the upper portions of the plant. The small, hooded flowers range from pink to purple and appear in clusters along the stem, creating a delicate but noticeable display.
Where You’ll Find It Growing
This adaptable plant has made itself at home across a remarkably wide range, thriving in states from Alabama to Alaska, and throughout most Canadian provinces including British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime provinces. It’s even established itself as far north as Newfoundland and Greenland.
However, it’s important to note that purple deadnettle is not native to North America. Originally from Europe and western Asia, it’s considered an introduced species that has naturalized across the continent.
Should You Grow Purple Deadnettle?
The decision to welcome purple deadnettle into your garden comes down to your gardening philosophy and goals. Here are the key considerations:
The Case for Purple Deadnettle:
- Provides crucial early nectar for bees and other pollinators when few other flowers are available
- Thrives in difficult spots where other plants struggle
- Requires virtually no care once established
- Adds subtle color and texture to spring gardens
- Grows well in partial shade
Points to Consider:
- As a non-native species, it doesn’t support native wildlife as effectively as indigenous plants
- Can self-seed readily and may appear where not wanted
- Short-lived annual that dies back after flowering
Growing Purple Deadnettle Successfully
If you decide to grow purple deadnettle, you’ll find it remarkably undemanding. This hardy annual typically thrives in USDA zones 3-9, making it suitable for most North American gardens.
Ideal Growing Conditions:
- Adaptable to various soil types, though prefers moist, well-draining soil
- Tolerates both full sun and partial shade
- Performs well in cooler weather
- Benefits from consistent moisture but tolerates some drought
Planting and Care Tips:
- Seeds can be sown in fall or early spring
- Often self-seeds, so you may only need to plant it once
- Requires minimal fertilization – too much can actually reduce flowering
- Deadhead spent flowers if you want to prevent self-seeding
- Works well as a temporary ground cover in disturbed areas
Garden Design Ideas
Purple deadnettle works best in informal, naturalized settings rather than formal flower beds. Consider using it in cottage gardens, woodland edges, or areas where you’re establishing other plants. It’s particularly useful as a nurse plant – providing ground cover and early pollinator support while slower-growing perennials become established.
Supporting Native Alternatives
While purple deadnettle certainly has its merits, consider complementing or replacing it with native early bloomers that provide even greater ecological benefits. Depending on your region, excellent native alternatives might include wild ginger, bloodroot, spring beauty, or native violets. These indigenous plants offer similar early-season interest while supporting local wildlife more effectively.
The Bottom Line
Purple deadnettle occupies an interesting middle ground in the gardening world. It’s not native, but it’s also not aggressively invasive. It provides real benefits to early pollinators while requiring virtually no resources from gardeners. Whether you choose to embrace it, tolerate it, or focus on native alternatives depends on your specific gardening goals and local conditions.
If you do decide to include purple deadnettle in your garden, you’ll be rewarded with a reliable, low-maintenance plant that brings life to the garden when winter is finally loosening its grip. Just remember to balance it with plenty of native species to create the most ecologically beneficial landscape possible.
