Stachys byzantina
(Lambs' Tail)
Family - Lamiaceae
Category - Perennial
Origin - Caucasus, Iran
Year of Introduction - 1782
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H7
Height - 50cm
Width - 60cm
Location - The Wedding Ring Border
Description: An Evergreen Perennial with mat-forming foliage and upright stems. Silver-grey leaves are oblong to Elliptic in shape with scalloped margins. The foliage is covered in dense white wool (hence the common names). Round, woolly silver buds open to small, magenta 2-lipped flowers. The flowers are held in whorled spikes that are interrupted by opposite pairs of small leaves. The Blooms are produced from early summer into early autumn. Attractive to pollinating insects.
Synonyms - Stachys lanata, S. olympica
Flower:
Round, woolly silver buds open to small, magenta, 2-lipped flowers. The blooms are held in whorled spikes that are interspersed with small leaves. Flowers are produced from June into September.
Flower colour: Magenta
Flower shape: 2-lipped flowers in whorled spikes
Flowering time: June, July, August, September
Foliage:
Silvery-grey leaves are oblong to Elliptic in shape with Crenate margins. The foliage is covered in thick white wool. The leaves are held in basal rosettes in opposite pairs up the flowering stems. Small, pointed leaves interrupt the whorls of Blooms on the flower spikes.
Foliage Senescence: Evergreen
Foliage Shape: Oblong to elliptic
Propagation:
Division, seed.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun in well drained soil.