Using Lamb s Ear in the Garden: Growing and Care Tips

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Stachys byzantina

Lamb’s ear is a popular silver-leaved herbaceous perennial ground cover in the Lamiaceae or mint family. The plant grows into a dense clump of thick, soft, velvety, silver-green leaves that form a low-spreading groundcover. They are evergreen in warmer climates. In summer, tiny, purplish-pink flowers appear that are best removed to enhance the foliage and to help maintains its compact habit.

Lamb’s ear is a native to the rocky hills of Turkey, Armenia, and Iran.

The genus name, Stachys, is Greek and comes from a word meaning “ear of corn.” The epithet, byzantine, means “of classical Byzantine.”

Lamb’s ear grows well in average, dry to medium, very well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. Avoid overwatering as wet leaves invite disease, as do high humidity summers. The plant likes some afternoon shade, particularly in the hot summer. It spreads by stems rooting at the nodes and can be aggressive in good conditions. Division of the plant may be required about every 2 to 4 years. The plant is deer resistant and moderately drought tolerant once established.

The leaves are densely white-woolly and oblong to elliptical. They emit a scent when crushed. The flowers are small tubular, 2-lipped, and appear in white woolly upright spikes.

The soft, fuzzy leaves make an excellent addition to a children’s or sensory garden. Plant it along a border front or walkway, or it may also be grown in containers. Consider planting Lamb’s ear on a hill or slope in hot humid areas to prevent root rot.

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom: Summer Foliage: Spring, Summer, and Fall

Quick ID Hints:

• groundcover with silvery-green leaves
• the leaves are thick, soft, velvety, oblong-elliptical, woolly, and may be unpleasantly aromatic
• the basal leaves are in rosettes
• leaf size varies depending on the cultivar
• the flowers are purplish-pink, erect, spikes or racemes that bloom in the summer
• if pollinated, an oblong, brown nutlet is produced

Insects, Disease, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to leaf rot with high humidity or excessive rain.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

• ‘Big Ears’
  larger leaves
• ‘Cotton Boll’
  flowers resemble cotton balls along the stem, gray-green leaves
• ‘Helene von Stein’ (synonymous with ‘Big Ears’)
  Foliage tolerates summer heat better, rarely flowers
• ‘Primrose Heron’
  pink flowers, yellow leaves in spring
• ‘Silky Fleece’
  lilac-plum flowers, small, white, wooly leaves
• ‘Silver Carpet’
  rarely blooms
• ‘Silver Queen’
• ‘Striped Phantom’
  variegated leaves

• ‘Big Ears’
  larger leaves
• ‘Cotton Boll’
  flowers resemble cotton balls along the stem, gray-green leaves
• ‘Helene von Stein’ (synonymous with ‘Big Ears’)
  Foliage tolerates summer heat better, rarely flowers
• ‘Primrose Heron’
  pink flowers, yellow leaves in spring
• ‘Silky Fleece’
  lilac-plum flowers, small, white, wooly leaves
• ‘Silver Carpet’
  rarely blooms
• ‘Silver Queen’
• ‘Striped Phantom’
  variegated leaves

• Attributes: Genus: Stachys Species: byzantina Family: Lamiaceae Life Cycle: Perennial Recommended Propagation Strategy: Division Seed Country Or Region Of Origin: Krym, Northern Turkey to Northern Iran Wildlife Value: Attracts butterflies Play Value: Attracts Pollinators Fragrance Textural Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems): deer and drought resistant Dimensions: Height: 1 ft. 0 in. – 1 ft. 6 in. Width: 1 ft. 0 in. – 1 ft. 6 in.

• Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Ground Cover Herb Perennial Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Broadleaf Evergreen Deciduous Habit/Form: Clumping Horizontal Spreading Growth Rate: Medium Maintenance: Low Texture: Fine

• Cultural Conditions: Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours) Soil Texture: Clay Loam (Silt) Sand Shallow Rocky Soil pH: Acid (<6.0) Alkaline (>8.0) Neutral (6.0-8.0) Soil Drainage: Good Drainage Occasionally Dry Available Space To Plant: 12 inches-3 feet NC Region: Coastal Mountains Piedmont USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

• Fruit: Fruit Color: Brown/Copper Display/Harvest Time: Fall Fruit Type: Nut Fruit Description: If the flowers are pollinated, an oblong, hairless brown nutlet may be produced.

• Flowers: Flower Color: Pink Purple/Lavender Flower Inflorescence: Spike Flower Value To Gardener: Fragrant Flower Bloom Time: Summer Flower Shape: Lipped Flower Petals: 2-3 rays/petals Bracts Flower Size: < 1 inch Flower Description: The inflorescence is a terminal dense spike and an arrangement of verticillasters. Flowers are sessile, subtended by reduced leaves (foliaceous bracts). Corolla is purple with some mottling internally, bilabiate. Corolla tube is less than 0.5 inches long and pubescent externally. The upper lip is single, shallowly 3-lobed, entire at apex, 0.2 inches long, and less than half an inch broad. Lower lip 3-lobed. Two lateral lobes are shallow, much smaller than the central lobe. They bloom from May to July.

• Leaves: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Broadleaf Evergreen Deciduous Leaf Color: Gray/Silver Green Leaf Feel: Soft Velvety Leaf Value To Gardener: Fragrant Showy Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Arrangement: Opposite Rosulate Leaf Shape: Elliptical Lanceolate Oblong Leaf Margin: Crenate Sinuate Hairs Present: Yes Leaf Length: 3-6 inches Leaf Width: 3-6 inches Leaf Description: The leaves are silvery-green, dense, white woolly, and measure 4 to 6 inches long and 2 to 2.5 inches wide. They are opposite and oblong elliptical. There are 3.5-inch-long stems on lower leaves and appear nearly stemless above. The leaves are acute, tapering to the base, and have crenate margins slightly sinuous. The basal leaves are in rosettes.

• Stem: Stem Color: Gray/Silver Stem Is Aromatic: No Stem Cross Section: Angular Stem Form: Zig Zags Stem Surface: Hairy (pubescent) Stem Description: The stems are erect, branching, four-angled, and up to 20 inches tall. The entire plant is covered with very dense gray lanate pubescence.

• Landscape: Landscape Location: Container Naturalized Area Recreational Play Area Walkways Landscape Theme: Butterfly Garden Children’s Garden Garden for the Blind Rock Garden Design Feature: Accent Border Mass Planting Attracts: Butterflies Resistance To Challenges: Black Walnut Deer Drought Dry Soil Pollution Poor Soil Rabbits Problems: Weedy

Stachys byzantina

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

N.C. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status.

Using Lamb’s Ear in the Garden: Growing and Care Tips

The best gardens please all the senses, including our sense of touch. Lamb’s ear is one of those extraordinary perennials that feels as good as it looks, with leaves so soft and velvety that you can’t resist stooping down to caress them for the sheer joy of it.

Although this easy-care plant is usually grown for the attractive silvery-gray foliage, some varieties also send up showy spikes of purple or pink flowers in summer. Drought tolerant and fast growing, lamb’s ear is ideal for use as a ground cover, edging a sunny border, or in rock garden plantings. And of course, it’s a wonderful addition to a sensory garden because of its visual and tactile appeal.

BASICS

Botanical name:

Common names:

Woolly betony, donkey’s ears, woolly hedge nettle

Plant type:

Zones:

Exposure:

Full sun to partial shade

Growth habit:

Height/spread:

4 to 18 inches tall, 12 to 36 inches wide

Bloom time:

Foliage:

Oblong to elliptical, densely hairy leaves are gray-green to silvery in appearance with a soft, downy feel.

Flowers:

Small two-lipped flowers bloom on upright stalks in various shades of pink and purple and, more rarely, white. Some cultivars are nonflowering.

Special attributes:

• The fuzzy foliage repels deer and rabbits
• Tolerant of black walnut toxicity
• Leaves remain evergreen in warm climates
• Heat and drought tolerant
• Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies

Is lamb’s ear invasive?

Although plants will spread readily in a favorable site via creeping stems, they are easily removed where not wanted and aren’t considered invasive. Flowering lamb’s ear varieties can also spread through self-sowing, which can be controlled by deadheading the flower stalks.

PLANTING LAMB’S EAR

‘Silver Carpet’ lamb’s ear with blooms. Photo by: Igor Grochev / Shutterstock

When to plant:

In spring, after the danger of frost has passed, and up until early fall. If planting in fall, give plants enough time to establish roots before winter.

Where to plant:

Native to the Mediterranean, lamb’s ear grows best in full sun (at least 6 hours of sunlight daily) but can benefit from some afternoon shade in hot climates. Established plants will tolerate drought, which makes them a great choice for drier spots in the garden. If using as an edging plant, grow in a site where its spreading habit can be kept under control.

How to plant:

Dig a hole slightly larger than the plant’s container, then gently remove the plant and place it in the hole with the crown level with the soil surface. Backfill with soil, then water thoroughly. If planting in mass, space plants at least 12 inches apart, depending on their width at maturity, to ensure good air circulation and prevent overcrowding.

Growing in containers:

Because of its silvery foliage and downy texture, lamb’s ear is a nice alternative to dusty miller or artemisia in container combinations, acting as a cooling contrast to brightly colored flowering annuals. Be sure to plant in a high-quality all-purpose potting mix, using a container with drainage holes so the roots won’t get waterlogged. Pair only with plants requiring similar exposure conditions and water requirements.

LAMB’S EAR CARE

Learn more about growing lamb’s ear in your garden, from Janey @digplantwaterrepeat.

Watering:

Give established plants about an inch of water a week during dry spells, keeping the foliage as dry as possible by watering at ground level. Avoid overhead watering, since the hairy leaves can trap water, leading to powdery mildew and other fungal diseases. Adding a layer of mulch around the base of your plants can also help prevent soil moisture from coming in contact with the leaves.

Amendments and fertilizer:

If you have compacted or heavy clay soil, amend it with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage. Lamb’s ear needs little nourishment to thrive, so fertilizing is generally unnecessary.

Pruning and deadheading:

To keep your plants looking neat and tidy, clip off the flower stalks at the base after the blooms fade in midsummer. Some gardeners prefer to prune off the flower stalks as they form so the plant’s energy remains focused on the foliage. Plants may also benefit from thinning in midsummer to expose them to more sunlight and to improve air circulation, which can reduce the chance for rot.

Dividing:

Lamb’s ear should be divided every three or four years in spring to prevent overcrowding and to improve plant health. Generally, you’ll know it’s time to divide your plants when they begin to die out in the center. Dig up the rootball and use a spade or sharp knife to divide into healthy, rooted sections, which can then be replanted or shared.

Propagation:

Can be propagated from seed (unless you’re growing a non-blooming variety) or by division.

Overwintering:

This hardy, cold-tolerant plant will withstand temperatures well below freezing without special protection, but the foliage will die back to the ground in areas with harsh winters. Wait until early spring to rake away the dead foliage, and when the weather and soil warm up, the plant will send up new, green growth.

Pests and diseases:

Lamb’s ear has few pest problems, but can develop root rot and foliar diseases in humid, overly wet conditions. Remove wilting or rotting leaves as soon as you see them and make sure the soil is well-drained.

LAMB’S EAR VARIETIES

Photo by: Kristine Rad / Shuttertstock

‘Silver Carpet’
Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’

Height and spread: 4 to 6 inches tall, 18 to 30 inches wide

This non-blooming variety forms a soft-textured mat of silvery foliage that remains unspoiled by spindly flower stalks, so you don’t have to worry about deadheading. Only grows up to 6 inches tall, making it is ideal for use as a fast-spreading groundcover.

Photo by: Cristo95 / Shuttertstock

‘Big Ears’, syn. ‘Helene von Stein’
Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’

Height and spread: 6 to 12 inches tall, 12 to 24 inches wide

As you might guess, this cultivar’s claim to fame are the exceptionally large leaves, which grow up to 8 inches in length. The foliage is also less woolly than that of other varieties, making it less susceptible to damage under humid or damp conditions. Produces few to no flowers.

Photo by: Aleksbbb / Shuttertstock

‘Silky Fleece’
Stachys byzantina ‘Silky Fleece’

Height and spread: 3 to 4 inches tall, 6 to 8 inches wide

This ground-hugging dwarf variety forms a dense carpet of silvery-green foliage, topped by upright spikes of lilac-plum flowers in midsummer. The leaves are also smaller than those of the species, but every bit as soft. A great choice for container plantings.

Photo by: ESB Basic / Shuttertstock

‘Cotton Boll’
Stachys byzantina ‘Cotton Boll’

Height and spread: 6 to 18 inches tall and wide

Named for its fluffy white flowers that look like balls of cotton, this sterile cultivar does not produce seed, which makes it easier to curb its spread.

DESIGN IDEAS FOR USING LAMB’S EAR PLANTS

• Use along sidewalks and garden pathways to soften the hard edges and to provide easy access for anyone who wants to reach down and gently stroke a leaf.
• Create a charming, pastel-themed cottage garden by combining lamb’s ear with plants with purple and pink blooms, such as roses, Russian sage, catmint, and salvia.
• Use as a groundcover or border plant in a moon garden, where the pale, silvery foliage will emit a luminous glow on moonlit nights.
• Plant around the base of a birdbath or garden statuary to create a soft, attractive framework.
• Because of its drought tolerance, lamb’s ear is a perfect addition to a waterwise garden along with other plants with low water needs, such as sedums, succulents, and ornamental grasses.