With its unusual silvery foliage, Stachys is great used as a border plant or as a groundcover. Remove flowers to enhance foliage. Leaves are soft and velvety. Avoid fertilizing silver-foliaged perennials.
Lamb’s ear, also known as Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’, is a must-have perennial for any gardener looking to add unique texture and color. This variety features velvety soft, silver-gray foliage that literally begs to be touched. ‘Big Ears’ is prized for its extra large, furry leaves that make a big visual impact in the garden.
Lamb’s ear is a species of flowering perennial in the mint family, native to Turkey and Armenia. The common name refers to the leaves feeling as soft as a lamb’s ear when stroked. There are a few different varieties grown, but Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’ is one of the most popular.
Key Features of Stachys Byzantina ‘Big Ears’:
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Large, furry silver-gray leaves up to 12 inches long. Leaves are densely covered in soft white hairs.
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Low, spreading habit. Grows 6-12 inches tall and spreads 12-24 inches wide.
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Flowers rarely. Grown mainly for its foliage.
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Extremely soft, velvety texture. Fun for kids and adults to pet.
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Spreads readily by creeping stems that root as they go.
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Drought tolerant and deer resistant.
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Hardy in zones 4-9. Evergreen in zone 7 and warmer.
Growing Conditions for Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s ear thrives in a wide range of conditions. Here’s what it needs:
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Sun: Full sun to partial shade. At least 6 hours of sun is best.
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Soil: Average, well-draining soil. Tolerates poor soil.
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Water: Drought tolerant once established. Avoid overwatering.
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Fertilizer: Usually not needed. Can add compost in spring if desired.
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Propagation: By division or seeds. Dividing rejuvenates the plant.
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Maintenance: Low. Remove dead leaves and flowering stems as needed.
How to Use Lamb’s Ear in the Garden
With its soft gray foliage, lamb’s ear pairs beautifully with almost any flower color. It shines alongside pastels like lavender and pink, but also pops against hot reds, oranges, and purples.
Lamb’s ear is ideal for:
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Edging beds and borders
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Softening path edges
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Spilling over walls or planters
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Mass plantings as a groundcover
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Accent plant among rocks
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Mixing into container gardens
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Adding unique texture anywhere
Caring for Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s ear couldn’t be easier to grow. Just give it full sun and well-drained soil. Here are some care tips:
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Water deeply 1-2 times per week until established the first year. Then water only when soil is partly dry.
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Mulch around the plants to retain moisture and keep soil cooler.
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Cut back any dead leaves or flowering stems to keep it looking fresh.
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Divide congested plants in spring or fall to rejuvenate.
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Avoid wet soil, which can lead to root rot. Improve drainage if needed.
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Remove weeds until the lamb’s ear fills in to prevent competition.
Common Pests and Diseases
Overall, lamb’s ear has good pest and disease resistance. Issues to watch for include:
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Rot – Can happen if soil is too wet. Improve drainage. Discard affected plants.
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Leaf spots – Water at the base of plants to keep leaves dry. Use a fungicide if needed.
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Sowbugs – Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on soil to get rid of them.
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Nematodes – Discard and destroy affected plants.
Get Creative with Lamb’s Ear!
Beyond the garden, lamb’s ear has many decorative uses:
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Cut stems to add soft texture to flower arrangements
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Craft displays with lamb’s ear mixed with flowers and herbs
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Weave leaves into wreaths and swags
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Dry leaves to use in potpourri
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Include in sensory or children’s gardens for tactile element
With its unique velvety foliage, it’s easy to see why lamb’s ear is such a hit in the garden. Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’ offers even larger, softer leaves than the species for maximum impact. Give this lovable perennial a try to add an eye-catching, touchable element to your outdoor space.
Possible Substitutions for Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’
- Foliage Color: Silver
- Foliage Color: Silver
- Foliage Color: Silver
Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’ (Lamb’s Ears)
FAQ
What are the cons of lamb’s ears?
The one major drawback of lamb’s ear is that it tends to rot if conditions are too wet or humid. Should lamb’s ear be cut back? Lamb’s ear is a fast growing plant, and it’s good to continuously harvest so leaves don’t get soggy or develop fungal diseases.
Does Stachys spread?
The stems will root where they contact the soil, allowing the plant to spread.
Does lamb’s ear come back every year?
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Perennial Nature:Lamb’s ear is a perennial, ensuring it will return each year, according to The Spruce.
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Mild Climates:In warmer climates, the plant will retain its leaves throughout the year, remaining evergreen, says The Spruce.
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Colder Climates:In areas with harsh winters, the foliage will die back to the ground during the coldest months, but the plant itself will survive, explains The Spruce.
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Re-emergence:In the spring, the plant will send up new growth, renewing its silvery, fuzzy leaves, according to Garden Design.
Where is the best place to plant lamb’s ears?
Heat is not a problem for lamb’s ear. However, select a planting location with at least some partial shade in desert locations is best. Low humidity is best for this plant. In places with high humidity, the plant is susceptible to leaf rot.
What does a lamb’s ear plant look like?
Lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina) is known for its distinctive foliage. The leaves are large, soft, and velvety to the touch, resembling the ears of a lamb. They have a unique silver-gray or woolly-white appearance, adding a striking visual texture to the garden.
Is Lamb’s ear a spruce?
Mary is also a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board. Lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina) is a ground cover grown for its thick, fuzzy, silvery foliage that creates a softly textured mat in the garden.
Is Lamb’s ear a good plant?
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. On this page: Basics | Planting | Care | Varieties | Design Ideas Stachys byzantina
What are the different types of lamb’s ear?
Lamb’s ear has many cultivars; these are a few of the most common: ‘Big Ears’ or ‘Helen von Stein’: This popular variety is known for its bigger leaves. It can go for years without blooming. This plant has relatively good disease resistance.
Is Lamb’s ear a good ground cover?
Lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina) is a ground cover grown for its thick, fuzzy, silvery foliage that creates a softly textured mat in the garden. Lamb’s ear is an easy, fast spreader, does best in full sun in most areas, and thrives in somewhat poor, slightly acidic soil.
Is Lamb’s Ear invasive?
Invasiveness: Lamb’s Ear can spread in favorable conditions but is usually not considered invasive. Its main benefits are ornamental, with its unique texture and foliage color adding interest to garden designs. It is also a practical choice for low-water gardens due to its drought tolerance. Prefers full sun to partial shade.