Plant Database
Helene von Stein Lamb's Ear
Stachys byzantina ‘Helene von Stein’
Stachys byzantina 'Helene von Stein' (also sold as 'Big Ears') is a superior, low-growing perennial prized for its exceptionally large, soft, silver-gray, woolly leaves and low-maintenance ground cover habit. This vigorous cultivar forms a dense, spreading mat of oversized, oval to lance-shaped, felted leaves that are incredibly soft to the touch and retain their attractive silver color throughout the season, with less tendency to brown or melt out in humid conditions than the species. In late spring to early summer, it produces erect, woolly spikes of small, two-lipped, tubular, purplish-pink flowers that rise above the foliage, attracting bees and other pollinators. The crushed leaves release a subtle, earthy, herbaceous scent. With its excellent tolerance for poor soils, drought, and deer resistance, it is an outstanding choice for edging, rock gardens, dry borders, as a colorful ground cover, and in container plantings.