has normal-sized fuzzy silver leaves
and also flowers very little. ‘Primrose
Heron’ has interesting chartreuse
spring foliage. Mighty Velvet (‘Bello
Grigio’) is a new lamb’s ears with
amazing narrow, foot-long leaves that
are nearly white with fuzz. Mighty
Velvet is rated hardy only to zones 7–9.
Stachys macrantha, big betony, is
grown mainly for its attractive violet
flower spikes. Deadheading usually
doesn’t prolong bloom, but it does
improve the overall appearance of the
plant and prevents reseeding. Plants
benefit from cutting tatty foliage down
to fresh basal foliage later in the
summer. Foliage decline is likely to
occur if plants are subjected to dry
conditions. Plants can spread to form
large colonies in rich, moist soil, but
spread is minimal in drier conditions.
Flower quality and overall plant
performance is improved if the plant is
grown in part shade in hot climates
and provided with supplemental water.
Stachys officinalis, wood betony
(zones 4–8), is also grown for its
flowers, which are purplish pink and
bloom in June and July. The scalloped
foliage is nice, too, and is evergreen in
mild-winter areas. Deadhead when
blooms are spent to put the focus back
on the foliage. The plant usually grows
to around 18 in. and creeps outward,
forming a groundcover if left
unchecked; it is easily controlled if it
strays too far. Plant wood betony in
full sun or part shade in average,
well-drained soil. ‘Hummelo’, a
lavender-pink bloomer and strong
performer, is by far the most common
incarnation of the species, but with a
little hunting, the attractive ‘Pink
Cotton Candy’ may be found as well.Stachys byzantina