Lamb's Ears (Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet') is a low-growing perennial prized for its irresistibly soft, velvety silver-gray foliage that forms a rapidly spreading mat typically 4-6 inches tall. Hardy in zones 4-8, this evergreen ground cover thrives in full sun and dry to medium well-drained soil, handling drought and poor conditions with ease. Summer brings delicate purplish-pink flower spikes rising 10-15 inches above the foliage, though many gardeners remove these to showcase the foliage's silvery texture. Its combination of textural appeal, low maintenance, and tough constitution makes it a garden workhorse for difficult sites.
1
Full Sun
Moderate
4-8
12in H x 18in W
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High
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The thick, touchable leaves are the real draw here, soft enough that children and adults alike cannot resist running their fingers across them. This cultivar spreads aggressively into a dense, low mat that suppresses weeds and requires minimal fussing once established. Evergreen in mild winters but will decline in harsh cold, it handles drought and poor, rocky soils that would defeat other plants, and deer and rabbits leave it completely untouched.
Lamb's Ears functions as a ground cover, spreading steadily to fill gaps and create textural contrast in borders, rock gardens, and along pathways. Its low, mat-forming habit and tolerance for poor soil make it valuable for naturalizing in difficult spots where other perennials struggle. The silvery foliage provides visual relief next to darker-leaved plants and complements both cool and warm color schemes.
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Sow indoors 8-10 weeks before planting out after frost. Surface sow and cover with a light sprinkling of vermiculite to retain humidity. Maintain a temperature of 70-75°F. Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days.
Transplant outdoors after the last frost has passed. Space plants 12-18 inches apart when establishing a ground cover.
Direct sow after frost through early summer.
Deadhead spent flower spikes in summer to enhance foliage appearance and maintain plant vigor. Many gardeners remove the entire flowering stems to keep focus on the silvery-gray leaves rather than the insignificant flowers. No other pruning is typically needed.
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