Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)

Lamb’s Ear

(Stachys byzantina)

charmingherbalist

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Image By: charmingherbalist

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Estimated Native Range

Summary

Stachys byzantina, commonly known as Lamb’s Ear or Woolly Hedgenettle, is a perennial herb in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to rocky and barren areas of the Middle East, including Armenia, Iran, and Turkey. It typically grows to a height of 0.8-2 feet and a width of 1-2 feet, forming dense, ground-hugging rosettes. Lamb’s Ear is characterized by its silver-gray, velvety leaves that are soft to the touch, resembling the ears of a lamb, hence the common name. The plant produces light purple flowers on tall spike-like stems in late spring and early summer, which are modest in appearance but attract a variety of pollinators, especially bees and hummingbirds. The foliage is semi-evergreen, remaining in mild winters but may die back in colder climates, regenerating from the crown in spring.

Lamb’s Ear is valued for its textural foliage and is often used in children’s gardens, borders, and as an edging plant due to its low maintenance and drought tolerance. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soil. While it is generally pest-free, it can suffer from rot in overly moist conditions. Lamb’s Ear can spread vigorously in favorable conditions, making it suitable as a ground cover but also potentially invasive. To prevent excessive spread, it is advisable to remove flower stalks before seeds set.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 0.8-1.5 feet
Width: 1-1.5 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Pink, Purple, White
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Semi-deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium, High
Drainage: Medium

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fire Resistant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Rocky and barren areas of the Middle East

Other Names

Common Names: Woolly Betony, Woolly Stachys, Woolly Hedgenettle, Lamb’s-Lugs, Lamb’s-Tails, Lamb’s-Tongue, Woolly Hedge-Nettle, Lammeøre, Woll-Ziest, Wolliger Ziest

Scientific Names: , Stachys byzantina, Stachys lanata, Stachys olympica, Stachys germanica subsp. lanata, Eriostomum lanatum, Stachys lanata var. parvifolia, Stachys taurica,

GBIF Accepted Name: Stachys byzantina K.Koch