Planting Lambs Ears

The Right Place
Lamb's Ears will survive winters as far north as the Great Lakes, northern New York, and along the Atlantic seaboard up to Maine (zone 4). They can withstand winter temperatures as cold as -10°F or more.

Planting Nursery Stock
Plant lamb's ears in the spring when all danger of frost is past. Choose a sunny location and soil that drains well, particularly important in humid areas. These plants do poorly in wet, clayey soils, so build beds higher than the surrounding soil surface to improve drainage, and add lots of organic matter (such as compost, rotted manure, leaf mold, peat moss) to the soil for the same reason. If possible, loosen the soil 1 foot deep when preparing the bed for planting. These plants can take soil on the dry side, and will grow in acid to slightly alkaline conditions (pH 5.5 to 7.5). Remove seedlings from their containers, checking to see if their roots are compacted. Loosen any matted or tightly wrapped roots. Dig holes that are wide enough to accommodate the spread roots and as deep as the container. Set plants into the holes, fill in with dirt, firming it gently around the plant stems, then water generously. Plant late in the day or on a cloudy day to minimize transplant shock. Space seedlings about 12 inches apart. They will spread and fill in quickly.

Lamb's Ears do well in containers with good drainage. The containers should be at least 1 foot deep. Combine them with plants having rich green foliage. Their silver color sets off blue flowers very nicely.

• Can Lambs Ears Be Composted