Product Description
Stachys byzantine 'Silver Carpet' (4) 1-gallons
Common name: Lamb's Ear.
Zone 4 to 8.
Full sun to part shade.
Plants reach 6 to 8 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide,
clump-forming herbaceous perennial.
Growth rate: Moderate.
Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet' is a popular cultivar of Lamb's Ears, prized for its soft, silvery foliage and its tendency to stay low and compact. It is a fantastic choice for adding texture and color to gardens and landscapes.
- Foliage: The most striking feature is its dense, tongue-shaped leaves covered in a thick layer of silky, silvery-gray hairs. The foliage forms a low-growing mat that is incredibly soft to the touch.
- Flowers: Unlike other Lamb's Ears cultivars, 'Silver Carpet' rarely produces flower spikes. This makes it a great choice for gardeners who prefer the look of the silvery foliage without the distraction of flowers.
- Growth Habit: It forms a compact, spreading mat that typically grows 4-6 inches tall and spreads 18-24 inches wide. It spreads slowly by runners, making it a well-behaved groundcover.
- Hardiness: It is hardy in USDA zones 4-8, tolerating a wide range of temperatures and conditions.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, it is very low-maintenance and drought-tolerant.
Growing Conditions:
- Sunlight: It thrives in full sun to partial shade. Full sun promotes denser growth and better foliage color.
- Soil: It prefers well-drained soil and tolerates various soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils.
- Moisture: It prefers moderate moisture but is drought-tolerant once established. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
Uses in the Landscape:
- Groundcover: Its spreading habit makes it ideal for covering ground, suppressing weeds, and creating a soft, silvery carpet.
- Borders and Edging: It provides a lovely textural contrast to other plants in borders and edges.
- Rock Gardens: It thrives in the well-drained conditions of rock gardens, softening the hard edges of rocks.
- Sensory Gardens: Its soft, velvety texture makes it a delightful addition to sensory gardens.
- Containers: It can be used in containers as a spiller or filler, adding texture and interest.
Additional Tips:
- Pruning: Remove any dead or damaged leaves to maintain a tidy appearance.
- Division: It can be divided in spring or fall to propagate new plants or maintain plant vigor.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistance: It is generally deer and rabbit resistant due to its fuzzy foliage.
- Overwatering: Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot and fungal diseases.
Overall, Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet' is a fantastic choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, textural groundcover with stunning silvery foliage. Its compact growth habit, lack of flowers, and adaptability make it a versatile and attractive addition to various garden settings.
(4) 1-gallon containers ready to plant, plants may be trimmed for shipping,
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
