By: Reba Kocher
Big Ear Lamb's Ear
Silver Carpet Lamb's Ear
Cotton Boll Lamb's Ear
I remember being a child and planting Silver Carpet Lamb’s Ears with my dad. I loved petting their super soft leaves and seeing their striking silver color, especially contrasted with the orange daffodils and pink bleeding hearts that were planted nearby. Lamb’s Ears are great for growing with kids or if you are looking for a beautiful foliage ground cover for your flower beds. There are several varieties and range from being blue/green to silver. Three of the most common Lamb’s Ears are the Big Ear’s, Silver Carpet, and Cotton Boll. All of which are stunning in their own way.
Lamb’s Ear (stachys byzantina) is a herbaceous perennial, which means that once you plant one, it will keep coming back for at least two years. Lamb’s Ears are native to the Middle East, specifically Turkey, and because of this, they are drought resistant. They can withstand very hot temperatures and like full sun (but they can handle part shade). In addition to this, they can also tolerate dry and poor soil. Their hardiness makes them perfect for gardens, and their soft, wooly leaves make them deer-resistant and rabbit-proof. You won’t have to worry about coming out and seeing them being munched on! Even though Lamb’s Ears are really easy to plant and to care for, it is important to deadhead (prune) them! They are considered an invasive plant in North America because they are self-seeding and they have creeping stems that root once they hit soil, so they could grow out of control. Another thing to watch out for is rotting when it gets humid out. Be sure to plant them in well draining soil and don’t overwater!
If you want to plant a flower bed with your child, Lamb’s Ears are a great addition. Your child will love petting their soft leaves, and they will get so excited to see them come up for years to come. They are also hardy enough that your child could take care of them mostly by themselves. Now is a great time to get them because certain varieties, like the Cotton Bolls, will begin to bloom between May-July!
Care Guides:
https://www.thespruce.com/lambs-ears-uses-how-to-care-and-control-2132610
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=p980
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/lambs-ear-plant-care-43444.html
https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/lambs-ears-natures-most-touchable-plant