Growing Guide
 
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Yellow Archangel

Herbaceous Perennial Flower, Ground Cover

Lamiastrum galeobdolon
Lamiaceae Family
Synonym: Lamiastrum luteum, Lamium galeobdolon, Galeobdon luteum

A shade-loving and fast-spreading groundcover with showy, deeply toothed, dark green leaves (often mottled with silver in newer varieties) and yellow flowers in summer. Use care in siting as plants spread aggressively under favorable conditions. Great for shady spots where little else will grow.

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Site Characteristics
Sunlight:
  • part shade
  • full shade
Tolerates some direct sun in cooler areas.

Soil conditions:

  • requires well-drained soil
  • tolerates damp soil
Prefers rich soil that is moist but well-drained.

Hardiness zones:

  • 3 to 9
Plant Traits

Lifecycle: perennial

Ease-of-care: easy

Height: 1 to 2 feet

Spread: 1 to 2 feet

May spread indefinitely by underground rhizomes or stolons unless contained.

Bloom time:

  • late spring
  • early summer

Flower color: yellow

Foliage color:

  • dark green
  • gray-green
  • variegated

Leaves are sharply toothed and shiny, often with silver mottling and markings.

Foliage texture: medium

Shape: spreading mass

Shape in flower: flower stalks with upright spikes

Flowers arranged in whorls around upright stems.

Special Considerations
Special characteristics:
  • deer resistant
  • aggressive - Spreads rapidly by rhizomes or stolons and may choke out less vigorous plants.
  • non-invasive
  • not native to North America - Native to Europe.
  • evergreen - Semi-evergreen, particularly where winters are mild.
  • fragrant - Leaves have unpleasant odor when crushed.
Special uses:
Growing Information
How to plant:

Propagate by seed, cuttings, division or separation - Make stem cuttings in late spring or early summer.

Divide in fall or spring.

Sow seed in containers in cold frame in fall or spring.

Maintenance and care:
Cut back to check growth.

Trim back to 6 to 8 inches after flowering to keep looking neat and promote healthy growth.

Keep soil moist, especially during dry spells.

More growing information: How to Grow Perennials

Pests:
Slugs and snails
Diseases:
Downy mildew
Powdery mildew
Leaf spot
Varieties
Some sources still include Lamiastrum in the genus Lamium

‘Herman’s Pride’ grows 10 to 12 inches tall with deep green leaves heavily mottled with shiny silver. Forms low clumps. Not as invasive as other varieties.

‘Florentinum' (‘Variegatum’) has mostly silver, ovoid leaves, with dark green veining and midribs. The leaves may revert to solid green.

'Silver Angel' grows up to 20 inches tall and has silvery leaves.