Botanical Name: Stachys byzantina
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Common Name: Lambs' Ear  
Plant photo of: Stachys byzantina
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Water Saving Tip:

Even though it's hot, your lawn only needs to be watered twice a week to stay healthy.

And don't water the whole lawn for a brown spot—drag out a hose.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Ground cover, Perennial

 

Height Range

Under 1'

 

Flower Color

Lavender, Pink

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Grey Green, Silver

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Linda Engstrom/Chandler
  • Description

  • Notes

Lambs' ear is a most fabulous perennial and groundcover, grown primarily for its soft, velvety leaves. It grows about a foot or so tall and spreads 2 to 3 feet. Leaves are grey-green and hairy, with the hairs giving the leaves a silvery cast. Though not really evergreen, the leaves turn a lovely buff come fall and persist well into the winter months, until buried under snow. Erect flowering stems arise May and June, with pink to lavender flowers at the terminal end. Some remove the flower stems before they bloom, but they are simple and charming. Use as a edging plant for a perennial, shrub, or foundation border, or as a ground cover. There are some named cultivars; 'Helene Von Stein' and 'Big Wave' claim to be flowerless, though in my experience they all eventually come to flower. Leaves are wonderful on wreaths (but you'll need a glue gun). There are lambs ear planted at the Washington Square Demonstration Garden.