Highly recommended by Medicine Girl!  Purple Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum) is one of the first plants to flower in spring, sometimes even as early as January. Native to Eurasia, this naturalized winter annual has adapted well to North American gardens and disturbed soils. The leaves and flowers can be eaten sparingly in salads or as a garnish, or cooked in soups, stir-fries, etc.

Lamiums, the Dead-nettles, represent the original mint described in botanical science, the foundational genus after which the entire extended mint family, Lamiaceae, is named. This vast family encompasses all the mints, lavender, rosemary, basils, sages, oregano, thyme, bee balms, salvias, catnip, patchouli, coleus, agastache, self-heal, leonotis, plectranthus, ajuga, lamb's ear, and thousands upon thousands more aromatic species worldwide, all tracing their scientific lineage back to these humble dead-nettles.

It is superficially similar to true Nettle (Urtica) in appearance but is not related and doesn't sting, hence the 'dead' in "Dead-Nettle." This charming winter annual spreads in low mats, with heart-shaped leaves that develop purple-red tints in cool weather, creating attractive ground cover that's both ornamental and edible.

Purple Dead-Nettle is an important early food source for hungry pollinators when little else is blooming. While it can self-pollinate, ensuring reproduction regardless of bee visitors, it's particularly valuable for early emerging bees and other beneficial insects seeking nectar and pollen in late winter and early spring.

Growing Purple Dead-nettle

Thrives in partial shade to full sun in average garden soil. Prefers cool weather and may go dormant in hot summers, returning with fall rains. Self-sows readily where conditions are favorable. Space plants 6-8 inches apart if direct seeding.

**For best results,** plant in areas where early spring color and pollinator support are desired. Excellent for naturalizing in woodland edges, herb gardens, or as temporary groundcover in vegetable gardens where its edible qualities can be appreciated.

Germination Instructions

Purple Dead-nettle seeds require cold stratification for 4-6 weeks to break dormancy. Either direct sow in fall for natural winter stratification, or place seeds in slightly moist sand or paper towel in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks, then surface sow in garden or containers indoors. Keep consistently moist until germination occurs in 2-3 weeks. Soaking seeds for 24 hours before stratification may help but is not essential.