{"title":"Stachys","description":"\u003cp\u003eStachys is a large and diverse genus in the Mint family that includes many valuable garden plants. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil, but will tolerate drought and get by in a bit of shade. All are excellent at attracting pollinators. Among them are several beloved species that have been in use for generations. Chief among them is \u003cem\u003eStachys byzantina\u003c\/em\u003e, the ground-hugging favorite that is commonly called Lamb’s Ears or Woolly Betony for its irresistibly fuzzy, silver-gray foliage. In summer, plants produce flower spikes with small lavender-purple blooms, but it’s the foliage that gardeners (and children) adore, and it provides contrasting color and interest over a long season. Try these varieties at the feet of Peonies and Roses, or use them to edge a sunny border. \u003cem\u003eStachys monieri\u003c\/em\u003e, commonly called Betony, is another favorite species in this clan. The award-winning cultivar ‘Hummelo,’ named after the home garden of noted Dutch landscape designer Piet Oudolf, produces basal clumps of heavily textured, lettuce-green leaves that send up spikes of vividly colored, long-blooming, violet-purple flowers in summer. All Stachys are superb companions for a wide variety of perennials from Echinaceas (Coneflowers) to Tall Bearded Iris, Agastache, Sea Holly (Eryngium), and Perovskia (Russian Sage).\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"stachys-byzantina-big-ears","title":"Stachys byzantina 'Big Ears'","description":"\u003cp\u003eA large and diverse genus in the Mint family that includes a number of valuable garden plants. One of the best is Lamb's Ear (\u003cem\u003eStachys byzantina\u003c\/em\u003e 'Big Ears'), a creeper with leaves that are so densely felted with white hairs that they appear gray or silver. This species does flower, throwing silver wands capped with small, pink or purple blooms, but its soft, woolly foliage is really the main attraction. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Big Ears,' also known as 'Countess Helen von Stein,' produces huge leaves, growing up to 12″ long—twice as big as conventional Lamb's Ears. The look is bolder and more settled. Plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They tolerate drought, but also get by in a bit of shade and quite heavy soil. What they cannot abide is extreme heat and humidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information on growing Stachys, click Growing Guide.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"White Flower Farm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47979276075161,"sku":"0038676-F","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0532\/9983\/9129\/files\/22215.jpg?v=1782074039"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0532\/9983\/9129\/collections\/38976.jpg?v=1783794550","url":"https:\/\/www.whiteflowerfarm.com\/collections\/stachys.oembed","provider":"White Flower Farm","version":"1.0","type":"link"}