Among the workhorses in my garden, Helen von Stein is a workaholic.
Who is Helen anyway? In my garden, Helen is a vigorous, large-leaved cultivar of lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina), with various noms des plumes: ‘Helen von Stein,’ ‘Helene von Stein,’ ‘Countess Helen von Stein,’ the most fascinating ‘Countess Helen von Stein Zeppelin,’ and the least, ‘Big Ears,’ a name which is apparently sanitized just for the protection of U.S. customers.
I always wondered who in heck the REAL Helen was, and let me tell you, it took a lot of sifting through Google results to figure it out. Yes, in fact, she was Countess Helen von Stein Zeppelin, and from what I can gather, she was a famed German nurserywoman. Assuming we have her to thank for this lamb’s ear, she seriously rocks. Here’s a Life Magazine image of Countess von Stein Zeppelin judging an iris competition in Florence circa 1960. You can buy a framed print!
The lamb’s ear ‘Helen von Stein’ is a lot bigger than the average lamb’s ear. Mine began as a couple of gallon pots that I divided, divided, and divided some more. It’s sterile and isn’t supposed to bloom, though you’ll see a stray flower or two. The best thing about them: any little division will grow, and with zero water, and I mean ZERO, in our temperate climate, save for the most extreme heat of summer-or, you know, springs like this where it doesn’t rain. If we’re getting the average about of precip, stick a shred with a stem in the ground, and it will grow, and any decent-sized division in spring will result in a handsome clump by fall. It’s happy in sun and a bit of shade, and this year, I’m even testing it in a more than a half day’s shade, because why not? I have plenty, and there seems to be no limit to what this plant can do. It may be the best filler ever.
Hardiness: Zones 4-9, though lamb’s ears don’t love hot, humid climates (this variety is your best bet, though, if you want to try them)
Best features: Fuzzy, silver foliage, drought tolerance, ease of division
Comes from: Parents native to the Middle East
Sources: Many. Just Google it, or check your local nursery.
An excellent plant! We use this often in our designs with great effect, and are never disappointed!
I used this in one of my old gardens in NJ and I couldn’t believe how fast it grew. A very tough plant. I see it around here but I am holding out for ‘Primrose Heron’. If I can’t find it I’ll go with Helen. I agree about ‘Big Ears’. What a drag marketing people are.
Best filler ever? The gauntlet is thrown down! Give me Salvia argentea for fuzzy silver filler over Helen’s big ears any day.
Susan: I’m laughing at the idea of the Stachys/Salvia gauntlet. Somebody needs to make a gauntlet garden concept. To each his/her own best filler ever, I say! Unless your best filler is bishop’s weed-then I will cut you.
Kaveh: I SO WANT ‘Primrose Heron,’ but haven’t found it for sale around here and forget about it when it comes time to do mail-order. I wonder if I could tack it onto one of the orders I have on the way…