Lamb’s ear has a good name; it is a low growing perennial with distinctive fuzzy foliage character like lamb ears. Plants reach 6-12 in. It has been grown for many years in California as a perennial in warm climate zones and is easily established in Inland Empire gardens.

S. lanata; lamb’s-ear or woolly hedgenettle) is a species of Stachys, native to Turkey, Armenia, and Iran. It is cultivated over much of the temperate world as an ornamental plant, and is naturalised in some locations as an escapee from gardens. The Wild Mullein and I.

lanata), the lamb’s-ear (lamb’s ear) or woolly hedgenettle, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to Turkey, Armenia, and Iran. It is cultivated over much of the temperate world as an ornamental plant, and is naturalised in some locations as an escapee from gardens.

Traditional landscape favorites like lamb’s ears, crocuses and holly can cause digestive upsets and worse.

Lamb’s ear can withstand poor soil conditions and drought. One thing it will not tolerate, however, is soggy soil. This plant performs best in full-sun conditions, but it can withstand some shade.

Stachys byzantina, lamb’s ears Evergreen in warm climates, leaves shrivel and die in colder winters. However, the plant doesn’t die unless planted in a boggy area. Remove desiccated foliage as new leaves emerge in spring.

Spreading mulch under the leaves will help prevent this. Trim the plant back in the spring and prune out brown leaves as needed. To keep the plant from spreading, deadheading spent blooms is often a good idea. In addition to self-seeding, the plant can be propagated through division in spring or fall.

Lamb’s Ears look well when planted near summer annuals, around a small pond or with roses or iris. They are a good companion plant for Russian sage and perform well in hiding scraggly bases of other perennials such as Shasta daisies.

Lambs ears is a member of the Labiatae, or mint, family. It originated in Turkey and southwest Asia, but now is a widely grown perennial known mostly for its soft, fuzzy leaves. Mullein includes a large group of biennials of the Scrophulariaceae family.

Not only is lamb’s ear hardy, tolerating a multitude of soil and sun conditions, but it sends up spikes of purple flowers in late spring and early summer that attract bees like crazy. Plant it, and its nectar will attract not only bees, but hummingbirds, as well.

The monieri species of Stachys is most commonly known as Betony and does not have the same fuzzy, soft leaves as Stachys byzantina species, which is most commonly called lamb’s ears.

Most Lamb’s ear plants will flower in late spring to early summer, although they are grown for the interesting foliage and the flowers are considered insignificant. It is advisable to deadhead, or remove, the flowers because the plants do self-seed prolifically.

This appears to be what we call a “wrong plant, wrong place, wrong time” situation. Leaves, particularly large-leaved plants like Lambs ear, try to cut down on evaporation in those leaves and exposure to the sun by curling, “wilting,” as it were and the excess water just added insult to injury.

Plant lamb’s ear in the spring by digging holes no deeper than the pots you purchased them in. If planting cuttings, plant the rooted part of the cutting into the soil with the rest of the plant above the soil line. Space your plants out about one foot apart to keep them from growing too close for comfort.

Remove areas of the lamb’s ear you find unappealing or sections of the plant that have spread beyond their boundaries. It will continue to grow back, requiring regular pruning, but this lessens the overwhelming effect lamb’s ear can have on your garden.