Sorrel : Lamb's Ear

Lamb's Ears is a low growing spreader with very fuzzy, pale, silvery gray-green foliage. They are grown primarily for the color and texture of their foliage, although the species does have flower spikes early in the season. Lamb's Ears are often recommended for children's gardens because of their soft feel. A Word of Caution: Lamb's Ear can be invasive in warmer climates and very hard to eradicate. Check with your local DEC or Cooperative Extension before planting. Latin Name: Stachys byzantina Common Name Lamb's Ears Zones: 4 - 10 Will require more shade in higher zones. Size: Height - 6 - 8" (12 -18" in flower), Width: 12" Exposure: Full Sun / Partial Shade Bloom Period: Late Spring into Early Summer Description: With fuzzy, silvery green, soft as suede leaves, Lamb's Ears are favored for their foliage, rather than their flowers. They flower on tall spikes in shades of pinkish purple or white, in the late spring or early summer. Some gardeners's find the flower spikes charming and others cut them off to encourage the foliage, as with Hosta. Bees are not so fussy and love the slightly fragrant flowers. Design Tips: Don't try to use Lamb's Ears as a specimen plant. They look best either as a rambling ground cover or as soft edging. As an edger, they will need to be kept within bounds. Besides spreading by roots, Lamb's Ears can self-seed profusely. The silvery foliage makes a nice complement to purple flowering plants.