People love adding lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina) to their gardens in the Midwest because the leaves are silver and have a soft, fuzzy, velvety feel that is hard to resist. This creeping herbaceous perennial comes from the Middle East and is hardy in zones 4–9. It is grown as an ornamental plant all over the temperate world because of its unique color and texture. One type of plant is sold as “Big Ears,” “Countess Helen von Stein,” or “Helene von Stein,” and its leaves are much bigger. This hardy variety of Stachys grows into a low mound (6 to 12 inches high) of dense rosettes that are more gray-green than the species’ bright silvery-white color. The huge leaves are up to a foot long, which is twice as long as the species itself. They are covered on both sides with long, white, silky-lanate hairs that give them their distinctive silver-gray color. The undersides are usually lighter in color than the upper surface, which may appear greenish when wet. Each wide, lance-shaped leaf gradually narrows to a rounded point. It is evergreen in areas with mild winters but dies back almost to the ground in cold areas. The stems will root where they contact the soil, allowing the plant to spread. In late spring or early summer, small purple flowers show up on random spikes of furry flowers held high above the leaves. There are many flowers in verticillasters (a cymose inflorescence that looks like a whorl but actually arises in the axils of opposite bracts) that are crowded together along most of the stem’s length. There are also a few leaves that are much smaller than the others. The tiny, two-lipped tubular flowers are mostly hidden by the hairs on the stem. If pollinated, flowers may be followed by oblong, hairless, brown nutlets. Most people like to get rid of any flower spikes that get in the way of the silver carpet effect, but this cultivar doesn’t bloom very often, so there isn’t much time to do that. You can cover the ground with “Big Ears,” use it as an edge, or let it spill out along a path to soften the edges of sharp, straight lines. It can also be put in bigger mixed containers or a sensory garden where people can touch the fuzzy leaves. It looks great with sedums, roses, iris, and catmint (Nepeta). In a cottage garden, it stands out against many other herbaceous perennials. It can be put in an herb garden with herbs that don’t need much water, like thyme, lavender, and sage. It is one of the best perennials with silver leaves for making Midwestern gardens feel like they are in the Mediterranean, where many other silver-leafed plants don’t do well. It makes a wonderful addition to a sunny rock garden and “Moon” or “White” gardens. When grouped together in front of a border with purple flowers, the silver leaves look great. They also look great as an accent plant against dark green or purple leaves. The silvery color serves as a foil for boldly-colored flowers that otherwise could be too intense. Foliage can also be cut to use in fresh or dried arrangements. As with most lamb’s ears, ‘Big Ears’ is a relatively low maintenance plant. It prefers full sun and well-drained soils. But it is quite adaptable, doing well in light shade and all types of soil, including heavy clay. It tolerates heat and moderate humidity, is drought tolerant once established, and is not bothered by deer. It has no significant pests, other than root and crown rots if grown in wet soil. They will spread, but they are not invasive, and the shallow-rooted parts are easy to dig out by hand. To make the clumps look better, remove the dead leaves in the spring. Other than that, the plants don’t need much care. They look best in lean soils, so should not be fertilized. Clumps can be divided in spring or fall by removing rooted sections. Plants should be divided to rejuvenate every 4-5 years or when the centers die out. The plant will wilt and look pathetic until they are re-established. – Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Lamb’s ear is a popular perennial known for its soft, velvety silver-grey foliage. The cultivar Stachys ‘Big Ears’ offers even larger, furrier leaves with great texture and color for gardens. This low-maintenance plant combines beautifully with other flowers and foliage.
About Stachys ‘Big Ears’
Stachys ‘Big Ears’ is a cultivar of the herbaceous perennial Stachys byzantina, commonly known as lamb’s ear. It is native to the Middle East. This vigorous variety forms a low spreading mound of dense rosettes growing 6-12 inches tall.
The huge leaves of ‘Big Ears’ grow up to a foot long, twice the size of the species They are densely covered on both sides with long, white hairs that give the leaves a soft, furry texture and striking silver-grey color The undersides tend to be lighter than the tops.
This cultivar is evergreen in mild winter climates but dies back nearly to the ground when it gets cold. The stems root where they touch the soil, allowing the plant to spread.
‘Big Ears’ produces only sporadic spikes of insignificant purple flowers in late spring or early summer. Most people remove the flowers to maintain the focus on the foliage.
Frequency of entities:
Lamb’s ear: 2
Silver-grey foliage: 1
Perennial: 1
Rosettes: 2
Spreading: 1
Evergreen: 1
Dies back: 1
Purple flowers: 1
Growing Conditions
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Hardiness zones – Fully hardy in zones 4-9.
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Sun – Grows best in full sun but also tolerates light shade.
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Soil – Does well in average soil and tolerates poor, dry soils. Dislikes wet, poorly drained soil.
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Water – Drought tolerant once established. Avoid overwatering.
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Fertilizer – Doesn’t require fertilization and is best grown in low fertility conditions.
Stachys ‘Big Ears’ is adaptable and low maintenance in the garden when provided with good drainage and sun exposure. It spreads nicely to form a dense carpet but is not aggressive or invasive.
Frequency of entities:
Hardiness zones: 1
Sun: 1
Soil: 2
Water: 2
Fertilizer: 1
Low maintenance: 1
Spreads: 1
How to Use Stachys ‘Big Ears’ in Gardens
The large silver leaves of Stachys ‘Big Ears’ offer great texture contrast and numerous design possibilities:
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Groundcover or edging plant along paths and walkways
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Mass in borders or cottage gardens to contrast with green foliage
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Underplant roses, catmint, sedums and other perennials
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Add unique color and texture to rock gardens
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Plant in containers alone or with annuals and herbs
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Fill in blank spots throughout garden beds
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Cut stems to add furry texture to floral arrangements
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Feature in children’s or sensory gardens for touching soft leaves
Lamb’s ear combines beautifully with purple and blue flowers as well as dark green foliage plants. It brightens shady areas and helps lighten intense colors. The velvety leaves also feel wonderful!
Frequency of entities:
Groundcover: 1
Cottage gardens: 1
Underplant: 1
Rock gardens: 1
Containers: 1
Cut stems: 1
Children’s gardens: 1
Sensory gardens: 1
Texture contrast: 1
Caring for Stachys ‘Big Ears’
Stachys ‘Big Ears’ lamb’s ear requires minimal care once established:
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Remove dead leaves and stems in early spring to tidy up plants.
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Divide congested clumps every 4-5 years in spring or fall.
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Avoid fertilizing, which encourages floppiness and diseases.
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Cut off any flowering stems to prolong the silver carpet effect.
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Water during droughts the first year or two until well rooted.
That’s all there is to it! ‘Big Ears’ practically takes care of itself with proper siting in the garden. Simply remove spent foliage in spring and divide plants periodically to maintain a lush, full growth habit.
Frequency of entities:
Remove dead leaves: 1
Divide clumps: 1
Avoid fertilizing: 1
Cut off flowering stems: 1
Water during droughts: 1
Where to Buy Stachys ‘Big Ears’
You can find Stachys ‘Big Ears’ lamb’s ear at many retail and online nurseries. Look for young, healthy plants in spring or fall, the best times to plant perennials.
Choose plants with foliage uniformly covered in soft hairs rather than patches of green. Avoid rootbound plants potted up from small pots. Locally grown perennials are best adapted to your growing conditions.
Space plants 12-18 inches apart in the garden. Loosening the roots before planting encourages quick establishment. Amend soil with compost or organic matter to improve moisture retention.
Add this unique perennial with huge silver furry leaves to your gardens this season for wonderful tactile and visual appeal!
Frequency of entities:
Retail nurseries: 1
Online nurseries: 1
Rootbound: 1
Locally grown: 1
Space plants: 1
Amend soil: 1
Compost: 1
Organic matter: 1
Visual appeal: 1
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Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’ (Lamb’s Ears)
What does a lamb’s ear look like?
Lamb’s Ear is recognized for its soft, velvety leaves that resemble the ears of a lamb, giving the plant its common name. The leaves are silver-gray and form a dense mat. Native: It is native to the Middle East, specifically to regions in Turkey, Armenia, and Iran. Plant Type and Habit: This perennial plant is known for its ground-covering habit.
What is the meaning of a crease in the earlobe?
A crease in the ear lobe has been defined as a deep wrinkle that extends backwards from the tragus of the ear. It has been proposed that the presence of this crease is a predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD). Though a lot of studies have been done on this topic, there is no definite established association.
How do you know if a lamb’s ears plant has too much water?
But the plant will give you signs that it has had too much water. Overwatering a lamb’s ears plant can lead to clumps of rotting leaves in the center of the plant or under the stems near the ground. You can adjust your watering routine to avoid excess moisture as well as dividing the plants so they will get more air circulation.
When does Lamb’s ear Bloom?
Lamb’s ear usually does not bloom in its first growth year. So, be patient. When it blooms, flowers will appear late spring into early summer. What Do Lamb’s Ear’s Flowers Look and Smell Like? Lamb’s ear is not treasured for its blooms but for its leaves. However, the plant occasionally produces non-showy light purple flowers on tall spikes.
