Plant in sun or part shade with little to occasional irrigation. Tolerates most types of soils but prefers them to be well draining and dislikes humidity. Hardy to USDA Zone 4 (-30 °F). A great plant for borders, mixed with succulents or in a rock garden. The flowers are useful and last a long time in arrangements. Some consider it invasive but most love the plant for its durability and beauty. Flowers are also attractive to pollinating insects and hummingbirds.

Stachys byzantina is native to a wide range from the Turkey through the Caucasus to Iran. The name for the genus was derived from the Latin word 'stakhys' meaning "spike" or an "ear of corn" in reference to its flower stalks. The specific epithet is in reference to its natural habitat within what was once part of the Byzantine Empire. The leaf shape and texture resembles a lamb's ear, which gives the plant its common name.

Stachys byzantina has many cultivars but the species was first introduced into cultivation in England in 1782. We have grown it continuously since 1991, right up until we closed the nursery in 2025. 

Information displayed on this page about Stachys byzantina is based on our research conducted about this plant in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about it as it has grown in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.