Silver Carpet Lamb's Ear

Key Characteristics

• Botanical Name: Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’ 

• Common Name: Lamb’s Ear ‘Silver Carpet’

• Habit: Low‑growing, spreading mat of velvety silver‑gray leaves. ‘Silver Carpet’ in particular tends to remain very low (often 4–6 inches tall) and wider in spread (~12–18 inches or more) in favourable conditions. 

• Foliage: Dense, woolly, silver‑white felt‑like leaves. Flowering is minimal in this cultivar (so the foliage remains the main show). 

• Hardiness: Generally rated USDA Zones 4‑9 in many sources; one Canadian retailer lists USDA Zone 3‑9 for this cultivar. 

Light & Site Requirements

• Sun Exposure: Best in full sun to part sun. Full sun (6+ hours) promotes the best foliage colour, compact habit and health. Some afternoon shade may be beneficial in very hot climates. 

• Soil: Prefers well‑drained soil. It tolerates poor, dry, sandy, or rock garden soils — what it doesn’t like is heavy, constantly wet or poorly drained sites. 

• Spacing: Because it spreads to form a mat, spacing plants approximately 12–18 inches apart gives good coverage with time. 

Watering & Maintenance

• Watering: During the first season, keep the soil evenly moist until established. Once established, very drought‑tolerant; only moderate watering required. Avoid overwatering. 

• Avoid wet leaves & heavy humidity: Because the leaves are woolly, they can trap moisture; too much humidity or wet foliage can lead to fungal issues. 

• Fertilizer: Minimal—this plant thrives in lean soils. A light top‑dress of compost in spring is sufficient. Over‑fertilizing can lead to less desirable growth. 

• Pruning / Shearing: Remove any dead or rotten leaves to maintain a tidy appearance. In early spring you can trim back old foliage. Because this variety hardly shows flower spikes, you don’t need heavy deadheading. 

Cold Climate / Zone 3 Considerations

• While the standard hardiness rating is around Zone 4, retail sources list Zone 3‑9 for this cultivar, which means it may perform well in sheltered Zone 3 locations. 

• To succeed in Zone 3:

  • Choose a sunny site with excellent drainage (e.g., slight slope, rock garden, raised bed) so winter water doesn’t sit and rot the crown.

  • A light mulch may help protect the crown in the first winter, though once fully established, the plant is very hardy.

  • Ensure good air circulation around the plants to prevent rot or fungal issues emerging in spring.

Landscape Uses & Display Ideas

• Excellent as a ground cover, especially for front‑of‑border, between stepping stones, rock gardens, and edging.

• Because of its soft silver texture, pair with bold foliage or flower colours — e.g., purple‑leaf plants, dark grasses, burgundy or chartreuse perennials for contrast.

• Great for sensory gardens or children’s gardens, thanks to its soft, touchable foliage. 

• Good for drought‑tolerant or xeriscape zones, or for challenging spots in the garden where other plants struggle.