Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous Perennial

Stachys byzantina 'Primrose Heron'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

A mat-forming perennial with rosettes of pointed, oval, densely woolly, yellowish-grey leaves to 10cm long. In summer it produces erect, woolly flower spikes to 40cm tall, these are studded with pinky-purple flowers. A good tactile plant for a sensory garden

Synonyms
Stachys olympica 'Primrose Heron'
Stachys byzantina gold-leaved
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Grey Silver Yellow
Summer Pink Purple Grey Silver Yellow
Autumn Grey Silver Yellow
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus

Stachys can be annuals, perennials or shrubs, with paired leaves which are sometimes unpleasantly aromatic, and erect spikes or racemes of whorled, 2-lipped flowers

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun; plants are reasonably drought-resistant once established

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging
  • Ground cover
Pruning

Trim back spent flower stems to maintain shape

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildew

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.