Stachys byzantina

Lamb's ears are a common yet wonderful plant. Children delight in the soft, velvety silver foliage. We delight in it too as the foliage remains attractive throughout the year. Vibrant new foliage is refreshing when it emerges in early spring. Light purple flowers rise up on tall spikes in May. They are not particularly attractive and can be cut off if self-seeding is not desired (and this is a rampant self-seeder!). Easily grown in dry to average soil in full sun.

Zones: 4 to 8

Type: Evergreen Perennial

Height: 9 to 18 in.

Spread: 12 to 18 in.

Exposure: Full Sun

Soil: Dry, Average

Bloom Time: May to July

Native Range: Armenia, Iran, and Turkey

Image Credits:

• Image 1 Kor!An (Андрей Корзун), CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
• Image 2-4 Ali McEnhil at the Old Dairy, Rhinebeck, NY