Stachys byzantina

Stachys byzantina

Transform your borders with the silvery, velvety foliage of Stachys byzantina, often known as lamb’s ear. Its soft, tactile leaves form low, dense mats that catch the light beautifully, creating a striking contrast with greener foliage and brightly coloured flowers. In early to midsummer, upright stems carry spikes of small, soft-purple blooms that bees adore, adding a delicate vertical accent to the plush leaf carpet.

This hardy perennial thrives in sunny, well-drained spots and is especially valuable for its drought tolerance and year-round interest. Perfect for edging paths where its leaves can be stroked as you pass, it’s equally at home in cottage gardens, Mediterranean-style plantings, and wildlife-friendly borders.

Specifications:

• Height: 20–40cm (foliage), 40–60cm (flowering)

• Spread: 30–45cm

• Flowering: June to August

• Position: Full sun to light shade

• Soil: Well-drained, poor to moderately fertile

• Maintenance: Cut back flower stems after blooming; remove tatty leaves to keep clumps neat; divide every few years to maintain vigour

🌿 Note for Isle of Wight planting:

Stachys byzantina is ideal for the island’s lighter, free-draining soils and coastal microclimates. It shrugs off salt-laden winds and summer drought but prefers shelter from persistent winter wet. Excellent for low-maintenance borders, gravel gardens, or as a living mulch under taller drought-tolerant plants.

🌿 Ideal Companion Plants from The Green Standard Range:

• Achillea millefolium ‘Terracotta’ – Warm, flat flower heads pop against silver foliage

• Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Blue Spire’ – Airy blue wands for height and contrast

• Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurascens’ – Aromatic foliage in a complementary hue

• Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ – Structural, late-flowering partner

• Verbena rigida ‘Oneness’ – Adds vibrant, pollinator-friendly colour at a lower height

🌟 The Green Standard Tip:

Use Stachys byzantina as a soft-edged path border and enjoy the sensory delight of its leaves. Plant in groups for maximum silver shimmer, and keep the crown slightly raised in heavier soils to avoid rot.