Stachys byzantina 'Big Ears'

RHS Plant Profile
lamb's ear 'Big Ears'

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lamb's ear 'Big Ears' visionspictures.com
lamb's ear 'Big Ears' visionspictures.com

Synonyms

Stachys byzantina 'Countess Helen von Stein'
Stachys byzantina large-leaved

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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A mat-forming herbaceous perennial with soft, grey-green, slightly hairy foliage which is larger than other varieties. Upright stems of small pink to purple flowers appear from June through to September. An excellent choice as ground cover to suppress weeds and drought-tolerant and a tactile choice for a sensory garden

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Exposed
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
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 moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by division or remove rooted sections in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging
  • Ground cover
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required. Remove flowers to prolong the life of the plant

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews