General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Plant Height: 6 to 12 inches (15-30 cm)
Plant Spread: 1 to 2 feet (30-60 cm)
Leaves: Unusual foliage color
Other: Soft to the touch.
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Other: Rarely flowers
Flower Color: Purple
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Suitable Locations: Xeriscapic
Uses: Groundcover
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Resistances: Humidity tolerant
Propagation: Seeds: Provide light
Needs specific temperature: 70F
Days to germinate: 21-35
Depth to plant seed: Surface sow.
Start indoors
Can handle transplanting
Other info: Sow late winter, 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant in the Spring. Pinch back when transplanting. Space 16" apart. Self seeds & spreads by roots.
Propagation: Other methods: Division
Stolons and runners
Pollinators: Bees
Containers: Needs excellent drainage in pots

Image
Common names
  • Lamb's Ear
Also sold as:
  • Helen von Stein
  • Helene von Stein
  • Countess Helen von Stein
  • Countess Helene von Stein
  • Countess Helen Von Stein Zeppelin

Photo Gallery
Location: Fairfax, VA
Location: Fairfax, VA | September 2022
Date: 2022-09-10
Location: Eagle Bay, New York
Date: 2023-07-11
Stachys byzantina Helen von Stein, buds on scape
Location: Eagle Bay, New York
Date: 2023-07-11
Stachys byzantina Helen von Stein, entire plant
Location: Eagle Bay, New York
Date: 2023-07-11
Stachys byzantina Helen von Stein, flower scape
Location: Hamilton Square Perennial Garden, Historic City Cemetery, Sacramento CA.
Date: 2014-08-08
Location: z6a MA, My Garden
Date: 2012-07-19
Location: Washington
Date: 2016-05-18
Location: Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, ON, Canada
Date: 2014-06-05

Courtesy Crownsville Nursery
  • Uploaded by vic
Location: Eagle Bay, New York
Date: 2022-07-26
Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina 'Big Ears') aka Helene von Stein
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden
Date: 2018-09-01
Location: z6a MA, My Garden
Date: 2012-07-19

Date: 2014-01-23
Photo courtesy of Santa Rosa Gardens. Used with permission.

Photo Courtesy of Lazy S'S Farm Nursery.
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: z6a MA, my garden
Date: 2014-08-25
3rd year, divided and out of control. Great plant.

Courtesy Crownsville Nursery
  • Uploaded by vic
Location: Washington 8b
Date: 2017-04-22
Location: z6a MA, My Garden
Date: 2012-09-14
Full sun. Lots of increase.
Location: Kalama, Wa
Date: 2011-10-08
  • Uploaded by Joy

Date: 2013-10-07

Date: 2013-10-07

Date: 2013-10-07
This plant is tagged in:
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Comments:
  • Posted by eclayne (Pioneer Valley south, MA, USA - Zone 6a) on Aug 1, 2012 12:11 PM concerning plant:
    If you like Lamb's Ears this one's a great variety. The larger leaves and more upright habit not only create a beautiful clump but the older leaves are held higher and have less of a tendency to die. Gravel or rock mulch around the plant also help reduce rot. Like all S. byzantina varieties avoid wetting leaves on hottest of summer days. Multiplied from 3 crowns to a dozen or so in it's first year and very low maintenance.
Plant Events from our members
aspenhill On January 5, 2009 Obtained plant
Park Seeds - qty 1 packet of 50 seeds
christine2 On May 1, 2008 Obtained plant
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