What Are Lambs Ears?
Lamb’s ears is the common name for a perennial plant, also sometimes called woolly lamb’s ears. The red to violet flowers of lamb’s ears are not the focal point of this charming drought resistant plant, although they are pretty to look at. Most gardeners actually grow it for the silvery green silky foliage, which really does feel like the ear of a lamb, complete with fine white down. The plant makes an excellent ground cover, and contrasts beautifully with other flowering plants, especially purple and violet flowers. The scientific name for the plant is Stachys lanata, and they are classified in the mint family, Lamiaceae. Lamb’s ears are native to Turkey, where they grow like weeds in rugged soil, low water conditions and fierce sun. The plants were adopted for gardens because of their amazing suede-like leaves, although some gardeners have been known to regret the decision later, since lamb’s ears can turn invasive. The plants prefer low water conditions, and also enjoy sub-standard
