Stachys 'Helene von Stein' Lambs Ear

A plant known for its distinctive foliage, Stachys 'Helene von Stein' Lambs Ear is a perennial ornamental in zones with mild winters. This variety, also referred to as 'Countess Helen von Stein' or 'Big Ears', stands out with its larger and darker leaves than other stachy?s, reaching up to 12 inches in length. The plant's soft, fuzzy, grey-green leaves, with a velvety touch and a silvery hue, form a beautiful rosette, reminiscent of a lamb's ear. While it's primarily a non-flowering cultivar, it may occasionally surprise you with a few small flower stalks.

As a variant of Stachys byzantina, commonly known as lamb's ear, 'Helene von Stein' grows robustly into a low mound, spreading quickly through creeping stems without becoming invasive. It's an ideal choice for ground cover or edging in a cottage garden, and it also looks great in containers, borders, and as an accent plant.

With its adaptability and resilience, the 'Helene von Stein' is a low-maintenance gardener's delight. It thrives in sunny to partly sunny locations with average, dry to medium moist, well-draining soil, but can also adapt to light shade and various soil types, including clay and poor soils. This variety is heat-tolerant, can withstand moderate humidity, salt, and drought once it's established. It is cold hardy and resistant to rabbits and deer.