Stachys byzantina 'Big Ears' (Woolly betony 'Big Ears')

Botanical name

Stachys byzantina 'Big Ears'

Other names

Woolly betony 'Big Ears', Lamb's ears 'Big Ears', Stachys byzantina 'Countess Helen von Stein' , Stachys byzantina large-leaved , Lamb's tongue 'Big Ears', Stachys 'Helen Von Stein'

Genus

Stachys Stachys

Species

S. byzantina 'Big Ears' - S. byzantina 'Big Ears' is an herbaceous perennial grown for its foliage. Leaves are soft and downy, silver with white hairs and form a mat. Spires of small flowers are produced in summer and are purple.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Mat Forming

---

Colour

Flower

Purple in Summer

Foliage

Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn

---

How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Slugs

Specific diseases

Powdery mildew

General care

Propagation methods

Division

---

Monthly care advice

---

Where to grow

Stachys byzantina 'Big Ears' (Woolly betony 'Big Ears') will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Garden edging, Gravel, Ground Cover, Underplanting

Cultivation

Grow in full sun in free-draining soil that is moderately fertile.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South

Exposure

Exposed

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Stachys byzantina 'Big Ears' (Woolly betony 'Big Ears')

Common pest name

tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Ceratothripoides brunneus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Thrips present in Africa; the Caribbean and parts of Asia; frequently intercepted in the UK. Can cause significant damage to tomatoes and other crops in countries where it is present. Europe wide PRA will consider its potential to establish and cause damage.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/