General Culture:
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Drought tolerant. Appreciates some light afternoon shade in hot climates. Too much shade, however, may impede leaf drying and promote the onset of disease. Avoid overhead watering. This species is susceptible to mid-summer foliage decline in humid climates such as St. Louis. Pick off damaged leaves as needed to tidy planting. Divide when necessary or to fill in bare patches. Spreads by creeping stems that root as they go along the ground and can be aggressive in rich soils. Plant 12-18" apart for use as a ground cover.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
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. Several cultivars of this species, the best of which is 'Helene Von Stein' (F690), have the advantages over the species of having better summer foliage and rarely producing flowering stems.
Problems:
Tends to rot and develop leaf diseases in humid summer climates. Well-drained soils are essential in order to combat potential rot problems which often occur in humid St. Louis summers. Even with well-drained soils, some summer die-out may occur where high humidity and/or moisture on foliage is present. Can spread aggressively.
Uses:
Foliage provides interesting texture and color to the border or rock garden. Effective edger or small area ground cover.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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