Stachys 'Silver Carpet'

Stachys 'Silver Carpet': Soft Silver Carpet, Hold the Flower Stalks

'Silver Carpet' is a plush, silvery rug that grows itself. Soft woolly leaves form a dense mat, and it rarely flowers, so it never looks messy. TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF. YOU'LL WANT TO.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet'
• Common Name: Lamb's Ears
• Height: 10–15 cm (4–6 in)
• Spread: 30–60 cm (1–2 ft)
• Flowers: Rarely produced
• Bloom Time: Rarely flowers
• Foliage: Soft, woolly, silver-grey leaves, smaller and finer than 'Helene von Stein', forming a dense mat
• Features: Rabbit resistant, takes light foot traffic

Where to Plant: Use it as a groundcover in a dry, sunny spot, along the edge of a path or border, between stepping stones or spilling from a container. It's also a natural for sensory gardens, because nobody can resist touching it.

Companion Plants: Use non-flowering 'Silver Carpet' as a silver edge in a sunny, dry bed with pink pincushions and hot pink coneflowers. Lewisia 'Little Mango' tucks in at the front at 15 cm with golden flowers in May and June. Scabiosa 'Pink Mist' adds light pink pincushions at 30 to 45 cm from June to October. Echinacea SunMagic® Vintage Lipstick brings hot pink coneflowers at 45 to 60 cm from July to September. Festuca mairei adds a dense, arching clump at 60 to 90 cm in flower.

Plant Care: Plant it in well-drained soil. Normal or sandy soil is ideal, and it prefers the dry side. Soggy ground, especially in winter, leads to rot, so improve heavy clay before planting or choose a raised spot. Water through the first season, then only in long droughts. Keep mulch away from the crown. In spring, tidy out any leaves that turned brown or mushy over winter. Divide in spring or early fall when the centre opens up or the mat outgrows its space.

History: Lamb's ears comes from the dry hillsides of Turkey, Armenia and Iran, and the species name byzantina points to that corner of the world. Gardeners have grown it for generations for its silver, touchable leaves, and 'Silver Carpet' was chosen for its low, mostly flowerless habit.

Final Thoughts: It handles light foot traffic, and deer and rabbits leave it be. Edge the path in style. WALL-TO-WALL LUXURY, NO INSTALLER.