Stachys byzantina 'Countess Helen Von Stein'

Lambs' ears is a well-known ground-covering perennial, grown for its soft, woolly foliage. Plants are particularly attractive to the solitary wool carder bee, Anthidium manicatum, which cards the fine hairs from the leaves to use as nesting material.

Also known as 'Big Ears', Stachys byzantina 'Countess Helen von Stein' has particularly large leaves, up to 25cm long. Its inconspicuous pink flowers appear in June and July, although they're partially concealed by silvery stems and buds with a felty texture. Once established, Stachys byzantina 'Countess Helen von Stein' is reasonably drought-tolerant, making this a good choice for a dry sunny border or gravel garden. To propagate, divide plants as soon as growth starts in spring.