Hello whidbeywood,
I think it is more likely that some seedling/ volunteer hijacked your Lamium orvala.

I learned about this plant at a talk/ lecture by some German plantsman and landscape architect, stressing its great garden qualities and its clumping growth.

I got some myself and they did great for 3 years ( then I moved).

Did yours flower last season? That should make them IDable without a doubt.

IME it is more likely that other stuff cropped up and you misstook that for the Lamium. Drastic changes/ mutations like that are rare so my money is on some impersonater.

Perhaps you could take some pics this spring of the flowering plant?

Good luck with your search,

Bye, Lin

Mine had only clumped for many years, however it does self sow - not wildly.

Now I wish I could remember if it came with me to this garden, I have a few things still in pots - hope there is a piece of it out there because I've already placed my seed orders for this year ;)

Hi,

I haven't planted these, but did a little bit of research. They shouldn't reseed, but I suspect they reproduce (albeit slowly) through rhizomes. What I've read says the bed should be divided every few years, so that's what I would do, keeping the nicest looking and the ones that are NOT producing those thick, spongy, yucky looking roots.

I may have to try growing these. They are rather pretty and shouldn't be invasive at all.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lamium info

grandma, the type lamiums you linked are spreading groundcover plants. Their growing habit doesn't particularly resemble deep-rooted non spreading clumper lamium orvala.

I find lamium orvala to be relatively mannerly in my garden, beloved by bees....while the little L.maculatum 'White Nancy has been a reliable groundcover in dry shade without ever over-stepping the mark......unlike the horrendous lamium galeobdolum (yellow archangel) - a supremely stoloniferous maniac.

There are deadnettles.....and dreadnettles.