Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina) is a perennial herbaceous plant cherished for its soft, silvery foliage and tidy tufted, mounding form. Its leaves are thick, oval to lance-shaped, and densely covered in fine hairs, giving them a velvety texture reminiscent of a lamb’s ear, which inspired its common name. In summer, it produces upright flower spikes topped with small, purplish-pink blooms, though the foliage remains the primary attraction.
Native to regions of the Middle East, including Turkey, Armenia, and Iran, it naturally thrives in dry, sunny habitats. Beyond its ornamental charm, the fuzzy leaves have historically been used in folk traditions as a soothing dressing for minor wounds due to their absorbent surface. Lamb’s Ear is particularly valued in gardens for its ability to create a soft visual contrast, blending seamlessly with bolder textures and colors. Its silvery clumps provide year-round interest, making it a favorite border accent and tactile highlight in herbaceous landscapes.
Lamb’s Ear has a typical overall height between 6”-18” (15-46 cm) and spread diameter of 2’-3’6” (61-107 cm).
Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina) is a perennial herbaceous plant cherished for its soft, silvery foliage and tidy tufted, mounding form. Its leaves are thick, oval to lance-shaped, and densely covered in fine hairs, giving them a velvety texture reminiscent of a lamb’s ear, which inspired its common name. In summer, it produces upright flower spikes topped with small, purplish-pink blooms, though the foliage remains the primary attraction.
Native to regions of the Middle East, including Turkey, Armenia, and Iran, it naturally thrives in dry, sunny habitats. Beyond its ornamental charm, the fuzzy leaves have historically been used in folk traditions as a soothing dressing for minor wounds due to their absorbent surface. Lamb’s Ear is particularly valued in gardens for its ability to create a soft visual contrast, blending seamlessly with bolder textures and colors. Its silvery clumps provide year-round interest, making it a favorite border accent and tactile highlight in herbaceous landscapes.
Lamb’s Ear has a typical overall height between 6”-18” (15-46 cm) and spread diameter of 2’-3’6” (61-107 cm).