Botanical Name: Lamium maculatum ‘Golden Anniversary’

Common Name: Dead Nettle

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in USDA Zones 4–9

Mature Size: 6–8" Tall × 18–24" Spread

Growth Habit: Low-Growing, Creeping, Mat-Forming Groundcover

Sunlight: Partial Shade (best color) to Full Shade; tolerates gentle morning sun

Soil: Well-Drained Soil; Adaptable to Most Garden Soils

Water Needs: Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established

Bloom Season: Spring to Early Summer

Fertilizer: Minimal; Avoid Excess Fertility

Features: Shade Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Bright Foliage, Pollinator Friendly

Uses: Groundcover, Shade Borders, Under Trees, Woodland Gardens, Mixed Beds, Containers

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

More Information About Lamium ‘Golden Anniversary’

Lamium ‘Golden Anniversary’ is a foliage-forward Dead Nettle variety prized for its glowing chartreuse leaves that bring warmth and contrast to shaded spaces. Unlike silver-leaf Lamiums, this variety adds color even in areas with limited flowering interest. Soft lavender flowers appear in spring, offering subtle seasonal contrast without competing with the foliage. Its low, spreading habit allows it to knit together quickly while maintaining a softer, more expressive look than the Nancy series.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, Golden Anniversary consistently stood out for its ability to brighten darker garden areas without looking harsh or overpowering. It maintained excellent leaf color in partial shade and showed good tolerance to a range of soil conditions. We especially like using it as a contrast plant alongside darker greens, where its foliage adds depth and visual layering throughout the growing season.

Golden Anniversary vs Other Lamium Varieties

Compared to Red Nancy and White Nancy, Golden Anniversary shifts the focus from contrast to color. The Nancy varieties rely on silver foliage and defined margins for brightness, while Golden Anniversary delivers warmth through golden tones. Its overall habit is slightly looser and more expressive, making it feel more naturalistic in mixed borders than the more structured Nancy series.

When compared to Purple Dragon, Golden Anniversary offers a calmer, foliage-driven presence. Purple Dragon provides bold purple flowers and faster coverage, while Golden Anniversary excels at long-term visual interest even outside of bloom. Purple Dragon is ideal for quick coverage and dramatic spring color, whereas Golden Anniversary is better suited for layered shade plantings where consistent foliage color is the primary goal.