Balm-leaved Deadnettle (Lamium orvala)

I'll admit that this is only a deadnettle, and with a very unappealing name, but it's a very posh deadnettle and definitely worth growing in my humble opinion!

It is a clump-forming, non-invasive perennial that is reliably hardy in my garden. It started flowering in early April (even this year) and I think will go on for at least a couple of weeks yet. The RHS says that it grows best in moist but free-draining soil, in a sheltered position, in deep or partial shade. However, mine seems to grow well enough in soggy, heavy clay at the front of a border where there really isn't very much shade. Plants don't always read the book.

I like it because it is good ground cover and provides interest until other herbaceous perennials hit their stride. It reaches a maximum height of about 50cm but the foliage is very attractive when viewed from above. The flowers are an unusual colour, particularly for late spring when everything seems to have been yellow or blue up until then. White honesty has appeared in my flower bed (from nowhere) and I like it growing with the Lamium, which also picks up the colour of Snake's Head Fritilliaries growing in the grass behind the bed.

Apparently, it can be propagated by division. I've not tried this, but it does self seed, very gently and in a manageable way.