Introducing...
Stachys
Botanical name: Stachys, Betonica
Common name: lamb's ear, betony
These low-growing perennial plants offer flower and foliage interest, making them ideal for the front of borders. They prefer sun and free-draining soils but are generally tough enough to cope with most conditions. The most commonly seen is the grey-leaved ground cover plant Stachys byzantina (lamb's ear), which is irresistably soft to the touch.
Looks
The stachys most often seen in gardens are herbaceous perennials, many of which bear flower spikes in white, pink or purple in late spring and summer. The foliage can form a mat of elongated furry grey leaves (Stachys byzantina) or crinkled green oval/heart-shaped leaves (Betonica). As well as perennials, the Stachys includes shrubs, but few are of garden value.
Likes
Most of those seen in gardens like free-draining sunny sites.
Dislikes
These plants generally dislike soggy conditions, although lamb's ears is surprisingly resilient in winter waterlogging. While there are wild woodland species that grow in shade, garden plants like sun.
Did you know?
There's been a name change: some of the plants in the genus Stachys are now in the genus Betonica. That means big betony, which was formerly known as Stachys macrantha, is now Betonica macrantha. Wood betony has its changed name from Stachys officinalis to Betonica officinalis. You are likely to see these two plants under different names for a few years to come, so be prepared that it might be in two places in the A to Z of perennial plants section in garden centres!
Growing guide
How to grow Stachys
All you need to know to grow and care for Stachys in your garden
Popular stachys and betony
Betonica macrantha 'Violacea'
betony 'Violacea'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Stachys byzantina 'Big Ears'
lamb's ear 'Big Ears'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet'
lamb's ear 'Silver Carpet'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Betonica macrantha 'Violacea'
betony 'Violacea'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Stachys byzantina 'Big Ears'
lamb's ear 'Big Ears'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet'
lamb's ear 'Silver Carpet'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Useful advice
Gravel gardens
Perennials: cutting back
Sandy soils: plants for
Get involved
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