Lamb's ear
Stachys byzantina
Lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 6 to 12 in tall and 18 to 36 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Iconic silver woolly foliage; kid-magnet ('feel this!'). Non-flowering cultivars stay tidier.
On the CSU listlow to medium water6 to 12 in tall and 18 to 36 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: "Stachys byzantina" by Carl E Lewis is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 2: "Stachys byzantina Minsk" by user:Хомелка is licensed under CC BY 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
- Photo 3: "Stachys byzantina 3c" by Consultaplantas is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.
- Photo 4: "0 Stachys byzantina - Yvoire (1)" by Jean-Pol GRANDMONT is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 5: no rights reserved
- Photo 6: (c) Oleg Kosterin, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4 to 8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- sandy, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 6 to 12 in tall and 18 to 36 in wide
- Growth habit
- Spreading
- Planting spacing
- ~25 to 36 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Bloom color
- pink, purple
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Winter cover
- Strong winter cover
What it will do to your yard
- Foot traffic
- No foot traffic
- Lawn alternative
- No-mow lawn alternative
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
Things to know before you plant
- Spreads aggressivelyLamb's ear, self-layers; the mat expands several inches per year
Using Lamb's ear as a groundcover
Lamb's ear spreads steadily. It fills in densely, crowding out most weeds. It holds strong cover through Front Range winters, so the ground doesn't go bare.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first summer to establish. After establishment, water 1 to 2×/month during dry stretches.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Lamb's ear good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Lamb's ear is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Lamb's ear?
- The main things to know: Lamb's ear, self-layers; the mat expands several inches per year
- How big does Lamb's ear get?
- It matures to about 6 to 12 in tall and 18 to 36 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Lamb's ear?
- Space Lamb's ear about 25 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 36 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Lamb's ear hardy on the Front Range?
- Lamb's ear is hardy in USDA 4 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Lamb's ear need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Lamb's ear native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Lamb's ear deer-resistant?
- Lamb's ear is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Can you walk on Lamb's ear?
- Lamb's ear isn't meant for foot traffic, site it where you won't need to walk across it.
- Can Lamb's ear replace a lawn?
- Yes, Lamb's ear works as a no-mow lawn alternative on the Front Range. Expect a season or two of weeding and watering while it fills in before it reads as a lawn replacement.
- Will Lamb's ear spread or stay put?
- Lamb's ear is spreading. Lamb's ear, self-layers; the mat expands several inches per year Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Lamb's ear stay green in winter?
- Lamb's ear holds strong cover through Front Range winters, so the ground stays protected rather than going bare.
