Lambs Ear (Stachys byzantina) organically grown flower seeds. Floral Encounters.
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Item # Packet size Nett Weight Number Seeds(approx) Price Qty
Small 0.18 g 100 seeds $2.80
Medium 0.36 g 200 seeds $4.80
Large 0.90 g 500 seeds $8.30

Please note: all seeds are sold by weight and seed count is approximate.

To keep seed prices low much of our seed is semi cleaned. More Info

A perennial plant that is grown for its foliage more than its flowers. Lambs ear is a must for almost any cool weather garden. Hardy to zone 4 it will be evergreen in warmer zones. It forms a beautiful silvery ground cover in sunny well drained areas. It is very drought tolerant and needs very little care once established. Will thive in hot sunny rock gardens and places where other plants have a hard time. Deer and rabbits don't eat it making it an ideal garden plant.
The purple flowers are interesting but its really the lovely soft silvery folage that is the attraction of this plant. Can be grow in planters and used under trees and shrubs as long as it gets good sunshine. Does not tolerate humid conditions well so not a good choice for hot humid southern gardens. There is can be grown as a winter annual.
The silvery foliage shines well by moonlight and helps lighten smaller gardens or areas where more light is desired. Once it spreads out it takes over the ground so no care or weeding is required. Just enjoy.

Description of Lambs Ear (Stachys byzantina).
A hardy perennial that is evergreen in warmer zones. Above zone 7b it tends to die down in winter but comes back quickly in spring. It is low growing with long elliptic leaves that are densely covered in fine silvery wool-like hairs. The heaves are tough and wrinkled with a fine wavy toothed (crenate) edge. Leaves can be 2-4" (5.1-10.2 cm) long, and about 1" (2.5 cm) wide and are blue green in color. They form in basal rosettes that will spread slowly outward increasing the plants width. In early summer it sends up tall white stalks that reach 18" (46 cm) with pairs of leaves at wide intervals and topped with a cone shaped woolly mass of tightly packed flower heads that open a few at a time with small purple flowers. Flowering can last several weeks, but are mainly a bonus for the beautiful foliage.

Growing Lambs Ear (Stachys byzantina) from Seed.
Very easy plant to grow from seed, just do not cover the seeds. They need light to germinate.
Best started indoors in either trays or pots. Sow thinly and follow our general growing instructions for seeding and seed care. Sow 8-10 weeks before last frost for best results. Germination in 15 - 30 days depending on temperature.

Can also be sown outdoors in desired location after all danger of frost has passed. Prepare bed remove all weeds and work bed to a fine soil, spread seeds thinly then press down with hands to firm them into good soil contact. Do not cover seed. Water regularly and keep moist until seeds germinate. Plants can then be thinned if desired.
Seeds can also be sown in late fall early winter for early spring start.

Location and Care of Lambs Ear (Stachys byzantina).
Lambs ear is a plant for cooler zones 4 -7a. It likes full sun and a well drained soil. It will grow in almost any soil that is not waterlogged but its tolerance for heat and dry make it idea for rock gardens, planters that tend to be forgotten and ground cover in hot dry areas.
Warmer zones it will depend on your climate. If you have a hot dry climate then lambs ear may do OK. It's the humidity that it cannot tolerate. Having the fuzzy leaves a benefit in cooler zones or when overnight temperatures drop such as semi desert conditions. However in the heat they trap the moisture and make the plant too wet. It then succumbs to root rot, powdery mildew and other diseases. If desired in can be grow as an cold season annual in hotter climates but will most likely die in the hot humid summer weather.

In areas where is does well it prefers a sunny location, while it can tolerate some shade it is only a little. Likes sandy well drained soils best but will tolerate anything that does not waterlog at any time. If you have more clay then amend your soil by adding plenty of well composted organic material before planting.
Space plants about 16" apart. They will soon establish and spread out to fill the gaps. Once the ground is covered they tend to beat out any weeds and form a perfect mat of silver foliage.

Flower stalks may be removed after flowering to enhance the look of the foliage but otherwise the plants need little care once established.
Watering. In areas where there is little rainfall or during drought some supplementary water is good. If possible use a soaker hose on the ground and not on the foliage to discourage any humidity build up that could cause leaf diseases. Water in the morning so that the sun has time to burn off leaf water during the daytime.

If your climate is particularly wet plant in a very well drained area to help prevent leaf rot.

In ideal locations it will establish quickly and spread, make sure you give it enough room, plant only in areas where you want it to cover the ground. It will crowd out any other smaller plants that are around it. Plant under larger shrubs or flowering plants such as roses or border on trees that get full sunshine. It may need chopping back if it begins to invade other areas.

Planters. Lambs ear is great in planters especially around the base of larger trees but also alone as long as it gets full sun. easy to maintain and water. Needs little care.

Moon Gardens.
Lambs ear is a real favorite in moon gardens. These are gardens that are appreciated at night, so the silvery foliage shines well in moonlight.

Harvesting of Lambs Ear (Stachys byzantina).
The flowering stalks of this plant can be dried for autumn arrangements. Simply cut it off close to the base of the plant when the head is in full bloom and hang it upside down to dry. Leaves may also be dried and used (air dry). Moisture in the air can cause the heads to droop sometimes, so best used lying horizontal, or plan the shape of the arrangement accordingly.
Lamb's Ear takes its name from the shape and texture of its foliage, and this is the appeal of the plant, though it does bloom as well. (The flowers are pale purple, carried on spikes above the foliage, and not particularly breathtaking!) This perennial forms a nice rosette with long, elegant leaves in all directions.

Culinary Uses of Lambs Ear (Stachys byzantina).
There are reports of the young leaves may be eaten in salads or gently steamed as greens.

Medical uses of Lambs Ear (Stachys byzantina).
The leaves have antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties as well as aiding in blood clotting. For this reason they were once widely used for wound dressings on battlefields.
A tea made from the young leaves is used to treat fevers, diarrhea, sore mouth and throat, internal bleeding, and weaknesses of the liver and heart. The same tea can be used topically as an eyewash to treat pinkeye and sties
The juice from crushed leaves can be placed directly on the skin to treat bee stings and insect bites helping to reduce swelling. It can also be used to treat hemorrhoids, or for postpartum recovery

Other uses of Lambs Ear (Stachys byzantina).
Some reports of using the super soft and possibly absorbent leaves as a substitute for toilet paper while backwoods camping have been reported. Perhaps, but the leaves are fairly small and don't grow in the wild apart from in their native range so this may be a wishful exaggeration.

Other facts
Lambs ears is originally native to Turkey, Armenia, and Iran.

 
Item # Packet size Nett Weight Number Seeds(approx) Price Qty
Small 0.18 g 100 seeds $2.80
Medium 0.36 g 200 seeds $4.80
Large 0.90 g 500 seeds $8.30

Please note: all seeds are sold by weight and seed count is approximate.

To keep seed prices low much of our seed is semi cleaned. More Info