Lamium maculatum Ghost
Best shade-loving groundcover for gardeners managing deer-prone landscapes.
The Lamium maculatum 'Ghost' is a vibrant perennial groundcover celebrated for its striking foliage. It features bright silver leaves beautifully edged in dark green, offering excellent texture and contrast in shaded garden areas. This variety produces magenta-purple flowers that bloom consistently from spring through fall, actively attracting butterflies. It is naturally deer resistant, making it a reliable choice where browsing is a concern. Growing to about 12 inches tall and spreading up to 24 inches wide, 'Ghost' thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8, preferring part to full shade conditions for optimal performance.
$6.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
29
/ 3268
#29 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-75%
Below average
Botanical Name
Lamium maculatum
/ Lamium maculatum
Who it's for
- Gardeners needing to brighten dark, shaded corners
- Busy homeowners wanting low-maintenance weed suppression
- Landscapers looking for reliable erosion control solutions
Who should skip it
- Gardeners maintaining delicate, slow-growing plant collections
- Residents living in regions with intense summer heat
- Minimalists seeking a plant that stays tidy year-round
Performance breakdown
Shade Tolerance
Thrives in low-light conditions where most flowering plants struggle to survive.
Foliage Impact
High-contrast silver leaves provide year-round visual interest in dim garden corners.
Deer Resistance
Reliably avoids browsing damage in areas with high local wildlife populations.
Bloom Duration
Consistent magenta-purple flowers offer color from early spring through late autumn.
Ground Coverage
Spreads steadily to suppress weeds and create a dense, uniform carpet.
Pollinator Appeal
Active nectar production makes this a magnet for local butterfly populations.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Lamium maculatum
Cultivar
Ghost
Mature Height
12 inches
Mature Spread
24 inches
Hardiness Zones
USDA 3-8
Sun Exposure
Part to full shade
Flower Color
Magenta-purple
Life Cycle
Perennial
Features
- Striking silver foliage with dark green edging
- Long bloom period with magenta-purple flowers
- Attracts butterflies to the garden
- Highly resistant to deer browsing
- Effective perennial groundcover for texture
- Thrives in part to full shade
- Spreads to cover ground effectively
What customers say
Customers highly value the 'Ghost' cultivar for its striking aesthetic and dependable performance. Its brilliant silver foliage instantly brightens dark garden areas. Reviewers consistently note its reliability as a vigorous, low maintenance groundcover. This Lamium variety excels even in deep shade where other plants falter. It provides immediate visual impact and dependable results, making it a highly recommended addition for challenging landscape spots.
Know before you buy
This plant performs best in part to full shade. While it can handle some dappled light, it should be protected from intense afternoon sun, which can scorch its silver foliage.
Yes, 'Ghost' is an excellent groundcover. Because it spreads up to 24 inches wide and forms a dense mat of foliage, it naturally shades the soil and helps crowd out competing weeds.
It is considered highly deer resistant. While no plant is completely deer-proof, the texture and scent of Lamium are generally unappealing to browsing deer, making it a reliable choice for areas with high wildlife activity.
One of the best features of this variety is its extended bloom time. You can expect consistent flowering from spring through fall, providing a long-lasting nectar source for butterflies.
It is relatively low-maintenance. You can trim it back if it spreads beyond its intended area, but otherwise, it remains a neat, compact perennial that doesn't require deadheading to keep blooming.
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