A Information article from the Wisconsin Master Gardener website, posted 14 Oct 2011

Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’ Lamb’s ears ( byzantina) is a favorite addition to Midwest gardens for the silver color and irresistible soft, fuzzy velvety feel of the . This creeping herbaceous perennial native to the Middle East and hardy in zones 4-9 is cultivated throughout much of the temperate world as an ornamental for its unique texture and color. There is one with much larger leaves that is offered under the names ‘Big Ears’, ‘Countess Helen von Stein’ or ‘Helene von Stein’.

This vigorous cultivar of Stachys forms a low mound (6-12 ‘Big Ears’. inches tall) of dense, rosettes with more of a grey-green cast than the bright silvery-white appearance of the . The huge leaves grow up to a foot long (twice as big as the species) and are thickly covered on both sides with long, white, silky-lanate hairs, giving them the characteristic silver-grey color. The undersides are usually lighter in color than the upper surface, which may appear greenish when wet. Each wide, lance-shaped 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 The large leaves are densely covered with hairs stems will root where they contact the soil, allowing the that give the characteristic furry look. to spread.

Insignifi cant purple fl owers appear in sporadic furry fl ower spikes held erect above the foliage in late spring or early summer. The 4-sided fl owering spikes have many fl owers in verticillasters (a cymose resembling a whorl but actually arising in the axils of opposite ) crowded together over most of the length of the stem along with a few S. byzantina ‘Big Ears’ only produces greatly reduced sporadic fl ower spikes. leaves. The tiny, two-lipped tubular fl owers are mostly hidden by the hairs on the stem. If pollinated, fl owers may be followed by oblong, hairless, brown nutlets. Most people prefer to remove any fl ower spikes that would spoil the effect as a silver carpet, but since this cultivar doesn’t bloom much, there is little time spent deadheading. The tiny, two-lipped fl owers (lower R) are borne in clusters along the stem (L and upper R). Use ‘Big Ears’ as a groundcover, for edging, or spilling out along a path to soften the edges of hard, straight lines. It can also be used in larger mixed containers or in a sensory garden for people to touch the wooly leaves. It combines well with roses, iris, catmint (Nepeta) and sedums, and as a bold contrast to many other herbaceous perennials in a cottage garden. It can be used in an herb garden, mixed in with herbs that have low water needs, such as lavender, sage, and thyme. It is one of the best perennials with silver foliage to create a Mediterranean feel in Midwestern gardens (where many other silver- leaved do not thrive). It makes a wonderful addition to a sunny rock garden and “Moon” or “White” gardens. The silver foliage looks great ‘Big Ears’ combines well with roses. massed in the front of the border with purple fl owers or as an accent plant against dark green or purple foliage. The silvery color serves as a foil for boldly-colored fl owers 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 ‘Big Ears’ prefers full sun and well-drained soil. 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 signifi cant pests, other than root and crown rots if grown in wet soil. Although they will spread they are not invasive and are easily removed by hand or digging the shallow-rooted sections. Dead foliage should be removed in spring to tidy the appearance of the clumps, but otherwise the plants don’t require 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 Dead foliage (L) should be removed (R) in early spring to pathetic until they are re-established. improve the apprearance of the clumps. – Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Additional Information:

Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’ – on the Missouri Botanic Garden’s Kemper Center for Home Gardening website at www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfi nder/plant.asp?code=F690 A Comparative Study of Cultivated Stachys – a publication in the Plant Evaluation Notes series by the Chicago Botanic Garden at www.chicagobotanic.org/downloads/planteval_notes/no27_stachys.pdf