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.
Advertisement
Plant calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Plant
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Flowers
yes
yes
Divide
yes
yes
Prune
yes
yes
yes
Stachys ‘Countess helen von stein’ and wildlife
Stachys ‘Countess helen von stein’ is known for attracting bees, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Is known to attract Bees
Bees
Is not known to attract Beneficial insects
Beneficial insects
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is known to attract Butterflies/Moths
Butterflies/Moths
Is known to attract Other pollinators
Other pollinators
Is Stachys ‘Countess helen von stein’ poisonous?
Stachys ‘Countess helen von stein’ has no toxic effects reported.
