Pink Cotton Lamb's Ear
Stachys lavandulifolia
Pink Cotton Lamb's Ear (Stachys lavandulifolia) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 8–12 in tall and 10–14 in wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Upright pink-flowering relative of S. byzantina with narrower silver foliage.
Plant Select®low water8–12 in tall and 10–14 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
Plan your garden
Not sure what to plant? The finder matches Front Range trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcover to your soil, water, sun, and zone.
Ready to plant this?
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Stachys lavandulifolia
- Type
- Perennial
- Mature size
- 8–12 in tall and 10–14 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~10–14 in apart
- Bloom length
- 2–3 weeks
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- loam, sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Bloom color
- pink
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Pollinator value
- high
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Planting & establishment
Deep water every 1–2 weeks during establishment (first growing season), then water sparingly per Plant Select guidance.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Pink Cotton Lamb's Ear good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Pink Cotton Lamb's Ear is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Pink Cotton Lamb's Ear get?
- It matures to about 8–12 in tall and 10–14 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Pink Cotton Lamb's Ear?
- Space Pink Cotton Lamb's Ear about 10 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 14 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Pink Cotton Lamb's Ear hardy on the Front Range?
- Pink Cotton Lamb's Ear is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Pink Cotton Lamb's Ear need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Pink Cotton Lamb's Ear native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Pink Cotton Lamb's Ear deer-resistant?
- Pink Cotton Lamb's Ear is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Pink Cotton Lamb's Ear a good firewise plant near the house?
- Pink Cotton Lamb's Ear is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does Pink Cotton Lamb's Ear bloom?
- Pink Cotton Lamb's Ear blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
