Lamb's ears (Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet')

Overview

Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’, commonly known as Lamb’s ears, is prized almost exclusively for its exceptional foliage. This cultivar features thick, soft, velvety, silver-gray leaves that form a dense, rapidly spreading mat close to the ground, making it an outstanding textural element in any garden design. Gardeners often choose this variety because it reliably delivers consistent ground cover effect.

While older Lamb’s ears varieties may send up noticeable flower spikes, Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’ is noted for rarely flowering, which keeps the focus entirely on the beautiful silvery leaves. This perennial is remarkably easy to grow, provided it receives adequate sunlight and avoids excess humidity. Its low-maintenance nature and toughness appeal to both novice and seasoned horticulturists.

The visual impact of the fuzzy, tongue-shaped foliage contrasts beautifully against finer textured plants or dark green backgrounds. As a drought-tolerant ground cover, Lamb’s ears provides year-round interest in many climates, covering soil effectively and suppressing unwanted weeds.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Lamiaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 0.25-0.5 ft
  • Spread: 0.75-1.5 ft
• Bloom Time: Rarely flowers
• Bloom Description: Non-flowering
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Dry to medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Plant Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’ in average soils that are well-drained. Full sun exposure is crucial; while a little light afternoon shade is tolerated in extremely hot climates, too much shade will prevent the woolly leaves from drying properly, increasing disease risk. This plant is easily established and establishes itself quickly via creeping stems that root along the ground.

Watering should be kept sparse once established, as these Lamb’s ears are inherently drought tolerant. Avoid overwatering, especially during humid summers, as excess moisture encourages rot and leaf spot. Deadheading flowers is usually unnecessary for this cultivar, but if any stalks do appear, many gardeners prefer to pinch them off immediately to maintain the dense, low-lying ground cover aesthetic.

Keep an eye on the foliage during mid-summer, especially in high-humidity areas like humid St. Louis summers, where die-out can occur. If leaves decline or spot, simply pick them off to allow better airflow to the remaining healthy foliage. Space starter plants about 12-18 inches apart for effective ground cover coverage.

Landscape Uses

The primary role of Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’ in the landscape is textural contrast and edging. Its dense, silver mat makes it an effective small area ground cover, softening hard edges or filling in gaps between paving stones. It is highly effective when used as an edger along pathways or mixed into rock gardens where its silvery hue stands out against stone.

Because this variety of Lamb’s ears spreads readily, it is excellent for naturalizing areas that receive dry, sunny conditions. Pair the fuzzy texture of Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’ with fine-textured ornamental grasses or plants that feature dark blue or deep purple flowers to maximize visual impact. Its low profile ensures it never obscures neighboring border plants.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Insignificant

Noteworthy Characteristics

Stachys byzantina, known as lamb’s ears, is grown primarily for its thick, soft, velvety, silver-gray leaves which typically form a rapidly spreading mat approximately 4-6” off the ground. Leaves are evergreen in warm climates, but will depreciate considerably in harsh winters. Erect, small-leaved flowering stems with terminal spikes of insignificant, tiny, purplish-pink flowers appear in summer rising above the foliage to 10-15” tall. Many gardeners remove the flowering stems to enhance the ground cover effect. Dense rosettes of woolly, tongue-shaped, gray-green leaves (to 4” long) spread by runners. Leaf shape and texture resemble a lamb’s ear, hence the common name. This cultivar, ‘Silver Carpet’, is perhaps most noted for the fact that it rarely produces flower spikes, emphasizing its value as a uniform, low-growing ground cover.

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Deer
• Drought
• Dry Soil
• Shallow-Rocky Soil
• Black Walnut
• Air Pollution

Potential Problems

The main struggles for Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’ occur in environments where humidity is high, such as in humid summer climates. The woolly foliage traps moisture, making the plant highly susceptible to rot and various leaf spot diseases. Well-drained soils are absolutely essential as a preventative measure against these moisture-related ailments.

Even with ideal drainage, summer die-out can sometimes occur in areas where high moisture or humidity persists on the foliage over long periods. To manage this, avoid overhead watering, and ensure excellent air circulation. While the spreading nature of Lamb’s ears is often desirable for ground cover, it can become mildly aggressive in exceptionally rich soils, requiring division if containment is necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Lamb’s ears suitable for?

Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8.

How large does Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’ grow?

This cultivar typically reaches a height between 0.25 and 0.5 feet, spreading outwards to cover an area between 0.75 and 1.5 feet wide.

What sun exposure does Lamb’s ears need?

For optimal growth and to minimize disease risk, Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’ requires full sun exposure.

When does Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’ bloom?

This specific cultivar rarely flowers, and its bloom description notes it as non-flowering, allowing gardeners to focus on the foliage.

Conclusion

Whether used as an effective edger or a silvery, textural ground cover, Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’ offers unmatched low-maintenance appeal due to its velvety foliage and drought tolerance. This tough Lamb’s ears excels where sun is plentiful and soil is dry. Before planting, ensure your site provides full sun and excellent drainage to keep your planting of Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’ looking pristine all season long.

Propagation Tips

Since ‘Silver Carpet’ rarely flowers, propagation relies entirely on vegetative methods. The easiest way to increase your supply of this low-growing perennial is through the division of existing clumps or by encouraging runners to root. As the creeping stems move across the soil surface, they naturally form roots where they touch the ground.

To propagate via stem rooting, gently lift a section of the matting foliage that has formed roots underneath. You can assist this process by lightly covering a few healthy runners with a thin layer of soil in the spring or early summer. Once new roots have successfully established in that area, sever the runner from the mother plant and transplant the rooted section to its new location.

Division is best done in spring just as new growth begins. Dig up established clumps of Lamb’s ears and gently tease apart sections that have distinct crowns and viable roots. Ensure each new division is planted promptly into its new, well-drained site to minimize transplant shock.