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: Sedum 'John Creech' forms a low mat with pink flowers in July and August, a neat partner for this silver groundcover. Aster 'Wood's Light Blue' adds blue daisies at 30 to 40 cm from August to October. Behind them, Monarda Sugar Buzz® 'Rockin' Raspberry' brings purple flowers at 40 to 60 cm in July and August. All three like full sun or partial sun and good drainage.

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.