Lamb’s ears requires well-drained garden soil, so avoid overhead watering, especially in hot, humid weather. Buried soaker hoses work best. In the Southeast, heat and humidity and frequent thunderstorms keep the foliage wet. As a result, the plants “melt out” in summer but bounce back in fall. During the winter they remain fresh and evergreen, which makes them worth a place in the garden despite their summer sulk.
The soft, furry, silver-gray leaves of lamb’s ears are irresistible to children and sensualists. Its 12- to 15-inch flower spikes are not showy (the small lavender-pink blooms are almost hidden by the silver-gray stem leaves) and are thought to distract from the more appealing foliage. For this reason, many gardeners remove them as soon as they appear. Plants are spreading, but not invasively so, and gradually form clumps measuring 3 to 4 feet across.
ZONES: 5–9
BLOOM TIME: Early summer
LIGHT: Full to part sun
HEIGHT: 6–8 inches (foliage); 12–15 inches (flowers)
INTEREST: Large, velvety silver-gray leaves
Lamb’s ears is usually planted at the edges of borders or in spots where it can spill over paths and terraces—the better to have its leaves petted by all who pass. While not a star in its own right, it acts as the perfect background for colorful companions; any moderatesized plant makes a good neighbor. Lamb’s ears can be used as a ground cover under roses or among dwarf conifers, where it is content to play a supporting role.