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Ewe’ll Love This Plant
Written By: Jeannie Chambers - The Accidental Gardener | Issue: 2020/04 - April
Lamb’s Ear is such a sweet name for this plant. He may be a little shy to let you in on his real name, Stachys byzantine, but there’s nothing introverted about his presence in your garden.
Lamb’s Ear is native to Turkey, Iran and Armenia, and grows well in zones 4-8. It prefers full sun, but placing in a partial shaded area will be just fine. Even though this plant can live in poor soil conditions, the leaves may rot if allowed to lay on wet earth for too long, so mulching around the plants is best in areas that tend to hold water.
This is a great plant to introduce a child to the love of gardening. It is very low maintenance, and the lamb’s ear shaped, green leaves are velvety soft, and fun to touch. In late spring to early summer, the reward of a spiky pinkish-purple flower may be seen.
This is a great plant by itself, or along the edge of a garden, and the contrast in leaf color makes it perfect for contrasting garden color.
Hummingbirds and bees love this plant. As a matter of fact, bumble bees have often been seen hanging around the water cooler on the leaves of Lamb’s ear plants. It seems the white hairs on the leaves collect and hold water from the morning dew, and the bees drink it up before they’re off to their buzzy day.
This plant has been used medicinally too. There’s an enzyme in the Stachys that has shown antimicrobial action against staphylococcus bacteria, known for the culprit responsible for pneumonia, sepsis, endocarditis and other ailments. Before using this or any plant for medicinal use, please check with your doctor.
There are usually available in local nurseries. These are good pollinators and you should have some in your life.
by Jeannie Chambers, The Accidental Gardener
