Lamb's Ears spring maintenance...cut back?
DiggingInTheDirt
11 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (7)
mxk3 z5b_MI
11 years agoRelated Discussions
What happened to these Lamb's Ears?
Comments (5)I have it's twin. As an experiment, you might try planting some of the bits and bobs you pull up when cleaning, as an edging plant in a larger mixed planting pot. That's what I did a few years ago, and after the first year of not looking so great, mine has turned back into the beautiful plant I remember when I purchased it many, many years ago. It could be many reasons mine has transformed, but I think the main thing it likes is the light potting mix, compared to actual soil that compacts over time. It's on the edge of a planted wheelbarrow, a pretty well drained spot compared to normal conditions here. A spot I previously had trouble with long term plantings due to getting too dry year round. Worth a try. This post was edited by plaidbird on Thu, Jul 24, 14 at 22:34...See MoreCatmint and Lamb's Ears
Comments (3)Whatever you leave will become mulch. On both of those plants, the stems are not woody at all and decompose quickly enough that they settle down under new spring growth, which completely covers it. If the lambs ear is the blooming kind (some types are bred not to bloom) the dead flower stalks likely contain a lot of seed. The same is true for catmint. One way I like to propagate both those plants is to shear the stems with some heavy-duty kitchen scissors (or anything else that works) and toss the dead stuff somewhere I want them to grow. Both types are vigorous re-seeding plants that will go from seedling to blooming plant by next summer if they germinate in the fall. Be careful about composting the stuff because then your compost will erupt into blankets of plants wherever you put it. That's one reason to leave the dead material in place where it can benefit the garden and only multiply in place....See MoreHelp I can't get rid of my lambs ear and I really don't like it.
Comments (18)I figure I could add something years later since other people added comments a year later. I moved into a rental house in Boulder, CO that had very well done perennial beds around the time this original post was written. It's been neglected for 7 or 8 years or so, especially the last 3 years. I can tell from Google maps the last year the lambs really took out for the rest of the beds and even the yard. I've been digging, pulling and now have covered an entire bed with clear plastic to kill the seeds before I'll consider planting there. The roots have formed an impenetrable mass and are sometimes thicker than my thumb. They have smaller roots finding them all together. I think if I were building a prairie Sod house I would be thrilled to find these. I'm constantly facing masses of sprouts and churning them over with hopes of killing most of them. We live in a Bee Safe neighborhood, and I don't think Round Up would have helped much anyway. I put an ad on craigslist and I've had many people haul garbage bags of plants away but eventually I got tired of answering the text-I think I had probably 50 people take A wavering amounts of these plants. I've never had them spread before but I stay on top of them, possibly since I use them in flower arrangements or pull them out as soon as they stray out of their designated area. I've discovered I now despise them and I don't think I'll ever let them grow again. I see them downwind from our yard and I'm tempted to go pull them now to spare them future agony- especially since it's likely the seeds came from here in the first place....See MoreShould I leave my Lamb's Ear alone over the winter?
Comments (6)I just leave mine alone because I do very little garden clean up in the fall. In the spring, you can rake the dead leaves away. You might have to cut some areas but you'll see new growth coming up. That should be your goal. Get the old leaves cleaned up before raking will do much damage to the new growth....See Moresunnyborders
11 years agotsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
11 years agoryseryse_2004
11 years agocheleinri
11 years agoUser
11 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Rosa Banksiae a Low-Maintenance Beauty
This thornless, disease- and insect-resistant rose brings showers of white or yellow flowers to the spring garden
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES7 Ecofriendly Gardening Ideas That Also Cut Chore Time
Spend less time weeding, less money watering and more moments just sitting back and enjoying your healthy garden
Full StoryMONTHLY HOME CHECKLISTSYour Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
Prep your house and yard for cold weather with this list of things to do in an hour or over a weekend
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGN7 Low-Maintenance Lawn Alternatives
Turf isn't the only ground cover in town. Get a lush no-grass lawn with clover, moss and other easy-care plants
Full StoryKITCHEN CABINETS9 Ways to Get Low-Maintenance Kitchen Cabinets
Save valuable elbow grease and time with these ideas for easy-to-maintain cabinets
Full StorySUCCULENTSAmazingly Low-Maintenance Picks for Outdoor Planters
Turn to succulents, cacti and ornamental grasses to keep your summer watering and care to a minimum
Full StoryFLOWERSBest Cutting-Garden Beauties for Late Summer
Pick blooms bursting with color or in classic white for bouquets to give away or keep all to yourself
Full StoryHOME OFFICESQuiet, Please! How to Cut Noise Pollution at Home
Leaf blowers, trucks or noisy neighbors driving you berserk? These sound-reduction strategies can help you hush things up
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESWhat Are Your Spring Gardening Plans?
Tearing out the lawn? Planting edibles? Starting from scratch? Tell us what you plan to change in your garden this year
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPINGChoose Your Own Spring Cleaning Plan
Instead of trying to do it all, pick one of these six cleaning approaches that’s right for you now
Full Story
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5