Xela's Garden

Goldnessel / Yellow Archangel

Genus: Lamium.

Species: Lamium galeobdolon.

Transplanted '00 Shenstone in pot from Arbor Low

Family Labiatae Genus Lamium
Synonyms Galeobdolon luteum - Huds.
Lamiastrum galeobdolon - (L.)Ehrend.&Polats.
Known Hazards None known
Range Europe, including Britain, from Sweden south and east to Spain and Iran.
Habitat Woods and shady hedgerows[5, 31], usually on heavier soils. Sometimes becoming locally dominant, especially after coppicing[17].

Physical Characteristics
Perennial growing to 0.3m by 1m at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Habitats

Woodland Garden; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Deep Shade; Ground Cover; Hedgerow;
Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers; Leaves.

Young leaves and shoots - cooked[183]. Young flowering tips - cooked.
Medicinal Uses
Antispasmodic; Astringent; Diuretic; Expectorant; Styptic; Vasoconstrictor.

Ground cover.
A good ground cover plant, spreading rapidly by means of its rooting stems and succeeding even in dense shade. It is very vigorous, however, and can smother small plants
It does very well in woodlands[K].

Cultivation details
A very easily grown plant, it tolerates most soils and conditions. It grows well in heavy clay soils[, though it prefers a light calcareous soil[1]. Dislikes dry soils. This species succeeds even in dense shade, growing well under trees. Once established, it can also succeed in drought conditions under the shade of trees, providing there is plenty of humus in the soil. There are at least four sub-species, L. galeobdolon montanum is the form generally found wild in Britain and it is a triploid. L. galeobdolon luteum and L. galeobdolon flavidum are both diploids. L. galeobdolon argentatum is the more rampant form, its clone 'Variegatum' is a commonly used ground cover plant for shady places. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A very invasive plant, sending out long prostrate shoots that root at intervals along the stems.

Propagation
Seed - usually self sows freely and should not require human intervention. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. The seed can also be sown in situ as soon as it is ripe.
Division in spring. Succeeds at almost any time in the growing season. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Cultivars
There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties.
[source: www.pfaf.org/databaseplants.php?Lamium+galeobdolon]

Photos of this plant

Reminders for this plant