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
We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!
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!