View Larger Lamb's Ears

Planted at Mount Vernon

Planted at Mount Vernon Upper Garden

  • Upper Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    4 4 5 5b 6 6b 7 7b 8 8b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 4 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

    This silver-leafed groundcover does best in well-drained soil, but tolerates adverse conditions. Its purple flowers are attractive to honeybees and bumblebees.

    Latin Name

    Stachys byzantina


    Family

    Lamiaceae


    Also Known As

    Woolly Hedgenettle


    Type of Plant

    Perennials Perennials

    Bloom Season

    May - July


    Seasons

    Spring Spring
    Summer Summer

    Specifications

    Max height Max Height: 1.5'
    Max spread Max Spread: 3'

    Uses

  • Flower Border
  • Ground Cover

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun

    Tolerances

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

  • Colors


    Native Range

    Central Turkey, Iran, and the Caucasus


    History

    Plantsman John Bartram listed lamb's ears for sale in his catalog from 1771 to 1809.


    Other Details

    Pollinator Pollinator

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

    Shop Now
    Login
    Buy Tickets Activities Calendar Shop Restaurant Give Membership
    Estate Hours

    9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    iconDirections & Parking
    buy tickets online & save