Lamium ‘White Nancy’

* Common name: Lamium ‘White Nancy’

* Botanical name: Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’

* What it is: A flowering groundcover that has deeply variegated white-and-green leaves that make the plants look like they’re frosted. White flower clusters in May through July. Looks good even throughout some winters.

* Size: 6 inches tall. Space 2½ feet apart.

* Where to use: Under trees, massed under shrubs along a north or east foundation and as edging in any shady area.

* Care: Keep damp the first season, then water usually not needed except in prolonged drought. Avoid hot, sunny areas to prevent leaf edges from scorching. Main care is containing spread. Use a shovel each spring to dig and remove sections creeping beyond the assigned space. ‘White Nancy’ is a spreader but isn’t overly aggressive. Fertilizer usually not needed.

* Great partner: Under cherry, dogwood or redbud trees or under limbed-up blue-needled evergreens (i.e. spruce, cedar or juniper).