Soft, velvety leaves of lamb’s ear begin to emerge from the still freezing ground in early spring, often as the first spring bulbs begin to bloom.  It is one of the first hardy perennials in the garden to show new growth.  Sometimes mature leaves have overwintered in neat rosettes nearby, and the new leaves prove that this sturdy plant is spreading on roots and rhizomes to colonize new territory. 

Expansion is never a problem for this beautiful member of the mint family.   New rosettes can be lifted with their roots in spring and moved to another spot that will benefit from their bright, grey-green leaves through the months ahead.

Stachys byzantina originated in the Mediterranean region near Turkey, the home of the Byzantine Empire in the late classical era. It is native throughout that Eastern Mediterranean region, eastwards through Armenia to Northern Iran.  Its fleshy, furry leaves make it extremely drought tolerant and resilient.  It will grow in poor, dry rocky soil, thrives on slopes, and is a reliable addition to a rock garden.  

Lamb’s ear tolerates a wide variety of soil textures, from sand to clay, and will grow in acidic, neutral, or sweet soil in Zones 4-9.   It thrives in full sun to partial shade and is drought tolerant.  Deer, rabbits, and other herbivores leave it strictly alone because of the essential oils in its leaves and their unpleasant texture.

Stachys is grown more for its foliage than for its flowers, with many gardeners clipping away its flowering stems as they appear. Those who allow it to bloom soon notice that it supports a variety of pollinators.  Its long, flowering spikes can grow floppy as they mature, particularly after summer storms.  Flowers are small, like most mint flowers, usually in shades of blue, pink, or lavender.  New flowers open as the stem grows and lower ones turn brown.

Lamb’s ear grows in low rosettes that become mounds as the plants mature.  Depending on the cultivar, most plants remain a foot to 18” tall.  Use this silvery plant to frame and set off other plants.  It grows well in combination with Verbena bonariensis, Iris, Artemesia, Dianthus, thyme, and Salvias.  Grow Stachys with other drought tolerant plants, as too much humidity or water left standing on its leaves can cause rot.  Avoid overwatering its soil, and plant in well-drained soil for best results.  Give this plant space so air may circulate around it and dry the leaves after rain or irrigation.

If Lamb’s ear leaves do show signs of disease later in the season, simply remove affected vegetation.  The roots normally survive and may send up new foliage before the winter.   S. ‘Big Ears’ or ‘Helene von Stein’ has larger leaves and shows more tolerance for summer humidity.  S. ‘Silver Carpet’ rarely blooms at all.  Other cultivars on the market may have variegated leaves.  The species is just as good and is easy to grow in most circumstances.

There are other species of Stachys, but none with such ornamental foliage.  Two North American natives may become weedy and normally aren’t introduced to gardens.  S. officinalis, now known as Betonica officinalis, or purple betony, is a medicinal herb native to Southern Europe and North Africa. Its medicinal uses have been documented from ancient Egyptian medicine onwards.  While its leaves are coarse and green, its flowers are larger, showier, and more attractive to pollinators.  Hardy in Zones 4-8, it is similarly drought tolerant and is considered an edible wildflower that will naturalize in a variety of settings.

Lamb’s ears unique leaf color and texture make it useful for edging beds, for ground cover, on slopes, in low-maintenance gardens, in containers, and in gardens designed for children and the elderly.  Its soft leaves invite touching. It requires little attention once established and enhances the beauty of the garden through most of the year.