Yellow Archangel

One of the prettiest little ground covers to grow in a garden is Yellow Archangel. This plant is also known by the common names Aluminum Plant (because of the silver markings on the green leaves) and False Lamium (because of its slight resemblance to members of the Lamium genus of Deadnettle plants). I prefer the name "Yellow Archangel." The scientific name is: Lamiastrum galeobdolon variegatum.

The Agricultural Extension Service of the University of Wisconsin describes these plants as blooming "for a few weeks" each spring. However, the plants we have here only bloom for a scant few days, and it is quite difficult to catch them blooming unless one is diligent about checking them every day. Checking them only once-per-week is a sure way to miss the lovely little flowers.

The plants grow so close to the ground that I had to kneel-and-crouch to get the above shot of the flowers. I find the blooms to be very exotic and unusual in appearance, almost like some variety of orchid — however, these plants are not in the orchid family, but in the mint family (Lamiaceae) as is obvious by the leaf pattern of two-opposite, then two-opposite in a 90⁰ orientation. I learned that when I had my own herb garden 20-30 years ago and grew spearmint, peppermint, lemon balm, also in the mint family.

Those who have followed my Steemit blog for a while might notice the resemblance of these flowers to those of the Purple Hedgenettle (Lamium purpureum), which I posted several months ago. That's because they are in the same Lamiaceae family.

As this plant is native to Europe and Western Asia, it can be considered troublesome as it can easily grow out of control. It has even been classified as a noxious weed in Washington state, USA^[2]. So, unless you live in Europe, you might want to read the following blog before rushing out to buy this plant at your local nursery: Dave's Blog on The Invaders: Lamiastrum Yellow Archangel

These plants have been here as long as I can remember. My mother really liked them, and I Iike them, too. I think it was probably her that planted them, long before it was realized how invasive they can be. They are growing on an area of the property, however, where they aren't presenting a problem.