Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Lamb's Ear

Q. My neighbor's Lamb's Ear had planted itself in my flower bed. I'd like to keep it there...it's pretty...but I don't know how to care for it. Do I pull off the dead looking leaves from last year or do I just leave them? Thanks :)

A. I have loved lamb's ears [a larger version is called rabbit's ears] since I was about 12. They are well-suited to a shady area of the garden, as they do not thrive in full sun, especially the hot, late summer sun rays.

Make sure that the soil is fertile, well-drained and kept well-watered, but not soggy. They like the woodsy, moist and humid feel, so treat them accordingly.

Remove all dead and yellow leaves, whether from last year or as they turn during this season. They can harbor disease and insects, so rid yourself of them and give them a clean appearance. It will also expose the good, green growth that may be obstructed by the dead material.

Feed them monthly with a general fertilizer as Rapid Grow or Scotts, one tablespoon per gallon water. When the weather is dry, make sure you soak the plants slowing with a dripping hose.

They send up wonderful hot reddish purple flowers on soft stalks. Remove them as they dry, but allow some to stay on until you see a brown seed pod that will split and send seed out for next year's new plants. That is how you got it into your garden. A gift from the wind or a bird!

Jane writes~
The Lamb's Ears I planted last year grew VERY wide this year. When I looked at my gardening book on approximately October 20th, it indicated that I should have divided it no later than the first week in October. I don't want it to take over my garden next year. What to do?

A. No fear, but yes, they do love to take over in a happy spot. They thrive in lots of shade and even send up pretty blooms if they get a bit of sunlight.

It is too late to separate them now, unless you live in a moderate climate [zone?] If you get frosts, then wait until next spring. I have divided them all through the spring and spaced them out or passed clumps on to friends. They can turn into a 'weed' if left to spread in an area where you want control.

Wait until they are well-sprouted next May or June. Then, go through and carefully lift them up, break them apart and keep clumps which have a root system. keep well-watered after separation and do not feed for a month, until the roots can get established.