Overview of Yellow Archangel
Yellow archangel is the common name of Lamiastrum galeobolon, an herbaceous perennial plant used as a low-growing ornamental. Lamiastrum means “resembling Lamium“, referring to the similar-looking deadnettles that are also grown as ornamental groundcovers. This species was once classified as Lamium galeobdolon; that name and the synonym Galeobdolon luteum are still occasionally used in the nursery trade. This Eurasian native in the mint family (Lamiaceae) is hardy in zones 4a to 9b. Named, variegated forms of this species are popular garden plants, but the unimproved species is invasive in the Pacific Northwest and parts of the Mid-Atlantic. Though not considered invasive in Wisconsin and not currently proposed for regulation, growing only named varieties, and not the unimproved species, is advised to avoid the potential to spread into natural areas.
The elliptical to triangular leaves have coarsely toothed edges, an acute tip and are covered with fine hairs. They are medium to dark green but cultivated forms are variegated with silver markings. The opposite leaves are borne on square stems (typical of the mint family). Plants are semi-evergreen, retaining their leaves through mild winters but dying back to the ground in cold climates in the winter and re-emerging in early spring. Plants grow up to a foot tall as a procumbent mat. This creeping plant spreads by rooting at nodes, from stem and root fragments, and by seed.
Varieties of Yellow Archangel
The most commonly grown cultivar is the more upright, clump forming variety ‘Hermann’s Pride’. This variety features narrow leaves with serrated edges, sharply streaked and spotted with bright silver that stands out from the dark green veins. This cultivar grows as a slowly spreading clump and is more behaved than the more trailing types. The most common vining or rambling cultivar is ‘Variegatum’ (or as ‘Variegata’) with diffuse, mottled silvery markings on the more rounded leaves and a spreading habit.
L. galeobdolon blooms for a few weeks in mid-spring, with a few flowers produced sporadically later in the year. The soft yellow flowers are borne in leafy inflorescences called verticillasters (resembling whorls but actually arising in the axils of opposite bracts; the tip continues to grow, producing more rings of flowers up the stem). Each ¾” long tubular flower has a prominent upper petal or “hood” and lower lip characteristic of the mint family. The lower lip is usually streaked red brown. The flowers are pollinated by bees – especially bumblebees – and are followed by inconspicuous brown nutlets hidden among the inflorescence leaves. Numerous seeds are produced from each inflorescence, with more in sunnier areas.
Landscape Use of Yellow Archangel
Yellow archangel is easily grown in most conditions from part sun to full shade in many types of soil. Although it prefers moist soil and growth will be more dense under those conditions, it tolerates drought and dry sites. Silver-variegated trailing forms can be used in hanging baskets or to make a dense ground cover that out-competes most other plants. The clump-forming ‘Hermann’s Pride’ is a better choice in gardens as it is not as aggressive as the species or other selections and makes a good addition to borders and shady beds. It combines well with other shade-loving perennials including ferns, bleeding heart, wild ginger (Asarum canadense and A. europeaum), golden Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’) and hosta, especially the larger blue-leaved selections where its medium-textured, strikingly variegated foliage provides good contrast to the solid colors and large leaves.
This plant has few pests, although slugs may cause cosmetic damage. Fallen leaves may get trapped in the trailing types, looking unsightly, especially where the leaves remain evergreen. The cultivars can be propagated at any time during the growing season by division of crowns or from stem cuttings.
– Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Last Update: Allen R. Pyle, UW-Madison Extension, 2026
