In the Garden
Lamb's ears are named for their shape and wooly texture.
This is how plants often look at the end of winter. Groom them by removing dead leaves and stems.
This is the same patch after clean-up. Plants start growing again at the very first hint of warm weather, about the time that daffodils bloom.Lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina) is a perennial ornamental with an endearing name that refers to its woolly leaf. Grow it in your herb garden or sunny flower bed, where the fuzzy, silvery leaves will brighten the more colorful flowers around it. Use it in compositions with flowering plants, or plant it to provide a pretty, low-growing edging for the bed. It is also a great companion to other plants in containers, providing a silver foil for leaves and flowers of other colors. The big ears also provide a nice coarse texture that contrasts with finer-leaved plants.
Planting and Care
Set plants in full sun in loose, well-drained soil. Space plants 12 inches apart in a border or grouping. They will grow to fill in the gaps.
Good drainage is important for most herbs, and it is critical for lamb’s ear. Like many silver plants, it can survive extreme drought and an arid climate better than being too wet or too humid. For this reason, lamb’s ear is also a good choice for containers, either alone or in combination with taller-growing plants.
Lamb’s ear is not frost tender, so it can be set out with other hardy perennials. Although the foliage will appear the worse for wear during wet winters, the plants are essentially evergreen. Of course they are; they have their own woolen coat.
Although lamb’s ear will bloom, the bulk of the plant remains only 6 to 8 inches tall. The leaves are the primary reason to grow the plant, although the flower stalks are nice in a vase with other late spring and early summer blooms. Cut the 18-inch flower stalks after they fade to clean up the planting and restore the low, leafy habit of the plant. Clumps increase in size slowly and can be divided after a year or two. In fact, the plants will benefit from the increased air circulation that division provides.
Troubleshooting
In areas with plentiful summer rain, matted leaves will accumulate at the base of the plant. These should be removed to prevent stems and roots from rotting. They are easy to pull out when plants are dry. Use your fingers like a comb to gently pull the beige leaves from beneath the silvery green ones that are still alive. Do this each spring to renew the planting and cut away any old, dead stems. After grooming, the plants may look the worse for wear, but be assured that the plants come back more vigorously if you attend to them.
Fresh Uses
Lamb’s ear is an engaging choice for children. The fuzzy leaf remains pliable when pressed in a book or placed in a pocket.
Use flower stalks with other cut flowers. Tuck individual leaves into vases with pansies and other small flowers.