lamb’s ear

This child’s favorite and classic, easy-care plant has soft, woolly, wintergreen to silver, elliptical leaves that form a dense mound of weed smothering foliage along with fuzzy spikes of small, violet flowers that are produced in summer through fall. Cut flowers to enhance foliage effect and neat appearance. Look for ‘Helene von Stein’, with larger, silver leaves and no flowering, and ‘Hummelo’ that has green leaves and pink flower spikes.

Plant in well-drained to dry, average soil amended with organic matter like Petitti Planting Mix. Water well after planting; maintain 1” of water, once a week the first year. Use Plant-tone and Iron-tone in spring or at planting; apply Osmocote in summer. Deadhead spent flowers down to lateral buds for longer blooming. Mulch 1-2” to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. Divide in spring when necessary.