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Silvery woolly foliage of lamb's ear in a sunny borderPerennials

Stachys byzantina

Lamb's Ear

lamb's earsilver foliagedrought-tolerantground covertactile plant

Lamb's Ear is a versatile perennial with soft, silvery, woolly leaves that invite touch. The plant forms dense mats of fuzzy rosettes and blooms in summer with small pink-purple flowers on upright stems.

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Before
After

Characteristics

Sun
Full sun
Water
Low
Height
20–40 cm
Spread
30–60 cm
Hardiness zone
4–8
Family
Lamiaceae
Evergreen
No
Flower colors
pink, purple
Wildlife value
bees

Bloom period

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Care guide

Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. The plant tolerates drought excellently and needs barely any water. Avoid overly moist locations as the foliage may rot. A light feeding in spring is sufficient.

Pruning tips

Remove flower stems after blooming to keep the plant tidy. Cut away any damaged or brown leaves in spring. The plant spreads via runners — limit as needed.

Good companions

Blooming lavender with purple-blue flowers in summer sunlightShrubs

Lavandula angustifolia

English Lavender

Lavender is a beloved herb with aromatic silver-green foliage and purple-blue flower spikes. This evergreen plant blooms profusely from June to August and is remarkably drought-tolerant, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.

Full sunLow30–60 cm
Purple-blue flower spikes of woodland sage in a sunny borderPerennials

Salvia nemorosa

Woodland Sage

Woodland Sage is a compact perennial with striking purple-blue flower spikes blooming from June to August. It attracts plenty of bees and butterflies and works well in sunny borders. Cutting back spent flower stems often triggers a second flush of blooms.

Full sunLow30–60 cm
Soft blue catmint flower plumes along a garden pathPerennials

Nepeta × faassenii

Catmint

Catmint is a tough border plant with grey-green, aromatic foliage and soft blue flower plumes. It blooms from May to September, making it one of the longest-flowering perennials. Bees love the flowers and cats are drawn to the leaves.

Full sunLow30–45 cm