Helene Von Stein Big Ears Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina 'Helene Von Stein')
STAK-iss bye-zan-TEEN-ah 'Helene Von Stein'

Deciduous Perennial Mounding, Groundcovering in the Lamiaceae Family
Very large, soft, silvery, mint-green leaves.

Helene Von Stein (also traded as 'Big Ears') is a selection of Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina) with much larger, thick, velvety silver-gray leaves than the species. It rarely sends up flower spikes, so the foliage mat stays tidy through the season. Forms a dense, spreading groundcover in well-drained soil and full sun.

Pros

  • Extra-large, velvety silver foliage
  • Rarely flowers, so foliage stays tidy all season
  • Drought-tolerant once established
  • Deer and rabbit resistant

Cons

  • Prone to rot in hot, humid, or wet conditions
  • Little ornamental bloom
Highlights Notably larger leaves than the species, with little to no flowering -- keeps the silvery foliage mat looking neat all season.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 8 - 12 inches tall. 12 - 18 inches wide.
Growth Rate Medium
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Edging, Full Sun, Good for Accents, Good for Beginners, Good for Borders, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Groundcover, Medium, Most Popular, Native to Asia, Non-Allergenic, Normal Soil, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Loamy Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Sandy Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period Rarely flowers
Flower Color Purple (rarely flowers)
Foliage Color
 

Absolutely Easy Garden Recipes that include Helene Von Stein Big Ears Lamb's Ear

Photos of This with...

Calamint, Blue Jean Baby Russian Sage,
 
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 05/09 - 10/05
2023 : 04/13 - 09/30

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!