Donkey's Ears

Lamb's ear, also called donkey's ear or lamb's wool, is a soft-foliaged perennial in the mint family native to southwestern Asia and the Caucasus. Growing 12-18 inches tall, it produces silvery, woolly, soft leaves and purple-pink flowers on tall spikes appearing in mid- to late summer.

Lamb's ear is extremely drought-tolerant once established and thrives in full sun to light shade with well-drained, sandy or rocky soil. Hardy to zones 4-9, it is fast-growing and spreads via rhizomes. The silvery foliage is the primary ornamental asset; flowers are considered secondary. The plant attracts bees.