Lamb's ear
Stachys byzantina
- Layer 5 · Ground cover
- Ground cover
Status by region
No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.
Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).
Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.
About
Herbaceous perennial with woolly, silvery foliage that forms a dense carpet, useful as ground cover in a food forest. It suppresses weeds, reduces evaporation, and its flower spikes attract bumblebees. It tolerates drought and poor soils well.
It can be planted now — September is one of the best months.
See which trees Lamb's ear grows well with
These trees share this species' soil and climate — the pairing is inferred from conditions, not from a guild we have already seen.
No account needed.
Needs
- Water: Low
- Light: Full sun
- Size: Mat-forming herbaceous perennial up to 0.4 m
- Mature diameter: 0.5 m
- Soils: Sandy, Loam, Limestone
- Climates: Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Hot, dry Mediterranean
Calendar
- January
- February
- March — Harvest — Planting
- April — Harvest — Planting
- May — Harvest
- June — Harvest
- July — Harvest
- August — Harvest
- September — Harvest — Planting
- October — Harvest — Planting
- November
- December
- Harvest
- Planting
Medicinal use: The leaves are edible, highly appreciated when breaded and fried, and are also traditionally applied as a dressing on wounds due to their antibacterial properties.
Where to buy
Central trees worth considering
May work well together — same soil and climate, complementary layers. We have not seen this combination in a generated guild yet.
May grow well with
Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.
AzaroleCrataegus azarolussame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
TerebinthPistacia terebinthussame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
Bay laurelLaurus nobilissame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
Common myrtleMyrtus communissame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
African tamariskTamarix africanasame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
Common hawthornCrataegus monogynasame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
Portuguese oakQuercus fagineasame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
Related plants
Other species in the same layer or with the same function.
It can be planted now — September is one of the best months.
See which trees Lamb's ear grows well with
These trees share this species' soil and climate — the pairing is inferred from conditions, not from a guild we have already seen.
No account needed.
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