The scientifically name of lamb’s ear
plant is Stachys byzantina and the plant is a favorite for growing with kids. The
lamb’s ear plant is an easy-care perennial plant that has velvety soft, wooly
evergreen leaves that are silver to gray-green in color. The foliage is as well
similar in shape to that of a real lamb’s ears, hence its name. If the plant is
actually left to bloom in summer, the plant will produce spikes of pink to
purple colored flowers too. Besides enjoying the plants pleasant appearance,
fuzzy foliage, the leaves of the plant can also be used as a “band-aid” of
sorts for healing wounds and in helping painful bee stings. Continue reading to
learn how to grow and care for lamb’s ear plants.
Growing Lamb’s Ear Plants
If you can actually provide the suitable
conditions, growing the lamb’s ear plant in the garden is very simple. The
plant is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones four through eight and the plant’s
origin is Middle East making it superb for growing in drought-like conditions. Actually,
the lamb’s ear plants are tolerant enough to grow almost anywhere. The lamb’s
ear plants should be grown in full sun or partial shade. Although the plant can
tolerate the poorest of soils, it should always be well-draining as the plant
dislikes overly moist soil. This is especially true of shady areas. The Lamb’s
ear plants have many uses in the garden, though the plant is grown primarily
for its foliage. The Lamb’s ear plant is low-growing, the mat-forming foliage
makes it ideal for use as a ground cover. They can be planted in open borders
alongside other perennial plants or you can grow them in containers.
Planting Lamb’s Ears
To plant Lamb’s ear is actually very easy
and it most takes place in spring. Make sure that the planting holes are not
deeper than the pots they were originally growing in. To prevent overcrowding
you can space the Lamb’s ear plants at least a foot (30 cm.) or so apart.
Although the lamb’s ear plants don’t require much in the way of fertilizer, you
can easily add a bit of compost to the holes prior to planting if you desire. Make
sure you water the new plants thoroughly but do not waterlog.
Lamb’s Ear Plant Care
Once the plants are established, the
plants require little maintenance; therefore, the care of lamb’s ear plants is easy.
Water the plant only when the soil is significantly dry. Look at the foliage
carefully in wet sites (from high rainfall) or regions prone to humid
conditions, as this can lead to rotting. Spreading mulch under the leaves can
also help to prevent this. Trim the lamb’s ear plant back in the spring and also
prune out the brown leaves as needed. To keep the lamb’s ear plants from
spreading you can deadhead spent blooms. In addition to self-seeding, the lamb’s
ear plants can also be propagated through division in spring or fall.
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