Stachys byzantina 'Big Ears'

A large and diverse genus in the Mint family that includes a number of valuable garden plants. One of the best is Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina '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.

'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.

For more information on growing Stachys, click Growing Guide.

We want our customers to receive strong, healthy plants that are ready to thrive in their gardens and homes. Here's what we'd like you to know about our shipping practices.

Delivery Timing

We aim to deliver your plants at as close to the proper time for planting in your area as possible. To do so, we consider the USDA Hardiness Zone to which we're shipping, current and forecasted weather at the destination and along the shipping route, and whether your plants are ready for transplant.

In spring, we ship first to the warmest regions and move north as planting conditions improve. For fall deliveries, we begin with the coolest regions and work south. We frequently adjust shipping schedules when extreme weather could put plants at risk while in transit or soon after arrival.

Because different plants reach readiness at different rates and are weather-sensitive in varying degree, a single order may be delivered via multiple shipments. Plants sold as part of a collection, or that are otherwise meant to arrive together, will be shipped together. Please contact our customer service team with two weeks' advance notice if you anticipate being away at the expected time of delivery. 

Tracking information for each package is delivered via email. 

Plant & Container Sizes

We deliver plants in various sizes and stages of growth, and the product detail pages of our website indicate the form and/or pot size in which the plant will be delivered. Pot sizes range from 1 pint to 1 gallon and larger. Many perennials, roses, shrubs and vines are delivered bareroot - that is, not in a container at all. Bulbs and tubers are generally delivered bareroot and fully dormant. We choose container sizes and delivery methods based on how each plant grows best, how we can minimize transplant shock, and how to minimize unnecessary bulk/weight in shipment. 

Caring for Your Plants Upon Arrival

It is important to acclimate greenhouse-grown plants to life outdoors. All plant shipments include simple instructions for handling your plants upon arrival. Further how-to information, including planting instructions, is available on each plant's product page.

Latin Name Pronunciation: stak'iss   

Grow Stachys in full sun and evenly moist, well-drained soil. Once established, plants are drought tolerant. In a hot, humid summer, which is typical in the South, Stachys appreciates light afternoon shade.

S. byzantina (Lamb's Ear) may "mug off” when grown in the heat and humidity of the South. Cut or pull off affected foliage and new growth will generally reappear in late summer or fall.

At White Flower Farm, we stand firmly behind every product we sell and are proud to offer a money-back guarantee on each and every item offered on our website and at our store in Connecticut. Some modest terms and conditions apply, click here for details.

Should you have any questions about how our guarantee applies to a particular product or circumstance, our customer service team will be happy to help – please contact us at (800) 411-6159 or [email protected].