Stachys byzantina 'Fuzzy Wuzzy' is a charming groundcover known for its velvety silver gray leaves that form a dense weed suppressing mat. Unlike other lamb's ears, this cultivar produces minimal flowering and instead focuses on strong foliage performance and a soft woolly texture that invites tactile interaction.
Height & Spread: 6 - 12 in x 12 - 18 in
Bloom Time: Rarely flowers; occasionally in late spring
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil Preference: Well drained, sandy or loamy soils
Watering Needs: Low once established; avoid overhead watering
Deer Resistance: Highly deer and rabbit resistant due to fuzzy texture
Native Status
Stachys byzantina is native to the Middle East and is not indigenous to North America, but it is widely used in temperate gardens for its unique foliage and drought resistance.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Beneficial Insects
- The fuzzy foliage provides cover for ground beetles and other predators that help control garden pests.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 12 - 18 in apart to allow leaves to form a complete mat while maintaining air flow.
Landscape Placement:
- Use as a silvery border along walkways, in front of beds, or as underplanting for roses or taller perennials with contrasting forms and colors.
Companion Plants
- Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' - Feathery texture and soft yellow blooms brighten the dense silver leaves.
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' - Both plants enjoy similar dry conditions and offer complementary fragrance and form.
- Achillea millefolium 'Paprika' - Flat red flower heads contrast sharply with the lamb’s ear’s mounding, fuzzy texture.
- Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' - Adds vertical structure and warm pinks that echo off the silver foliage.
- Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' - The upright violet spikes contrast beautifully with the soft texture of lamb’s ears.