Wollziest: Location, Cutting & Toxicity

The Wollziest, also known as the rabbit ear, can be excellently combined with roses in the bed. The hardy Wollziest is also non-toxic and can be easily propagated even by beginners.

The Wollziest (Stachys byzantina) was often seen in cottage gardens in the past and is now attracting the attention of hobby gardeners again. By combining the woolly silvery Wollziest with suitable companion plants such as the rose (Pink) it appears even more colorful and intense. Together they form a harmonious perennial border. Here we explain how the Wollziest is optimally planted and cared for.

Wollziest: flower, origin and properties

The Wollziest is also known as the Byzantine Ziest, rabbit ear or donkey ear. In English, this is also referred to as Lamb's Ears and belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae). The perennial shrub, which is even evergreen in mild locations, owes its name to its woolly silvery leaves, which resemble animal ears. The strong hairiness of the leaves is no coincidence, but is intended to protect the plant from drying out in direct sunlight. The Wollziest is native to the Near East and the Caucasus.

Depending on the species, the shallow-rooted plant can reach a height of between 15 and 60 cm and forms a dense ground cover over the years. The opposite leaves on a four-edged stem are typical of mint plants. The oval-shaped leaves can grow 25 to 50 cm depending on the species and variety. The flowering period of the Wollziest is between June and August. There are now different types of Stachys byzantina, which differ in the color of their flowers. They can be violet-pink or white. The woolly ziest is also known to insects - it provides food for bees, bumblebees and butterflies, for example.

Plants similar to the Wollziest: With its fluffy leaves, the ground cover almost has a unique position in the flower bed. However, the following plants are quite similar to the Wollziest.

• real sage(Salvia officinalis)
• Indian smoked sage(Salvia apiana)
• mulleins (verbascum) 

The most beautiful Wollziest varieties

The Wollziest is available in different varieties, each of which makes a beautiful picture in the garden. Here are the most cultivated varieties:

• ‘Big Ears’: Due to the almost non-existent flowering, this variety is mainly used as a decorative leaf perennial. The leaves grow up to 25 cm long and form a closed ground cover. During the flowering period, the plant grows between 40 - 60 cm high.

• ‘Cotton Ball’: The fluffy flower balls are reminiscent of cotton blossoms, from which the variety name comes. When flowering, this variety grows to a height of 40 - 60 cm and, when dried, is ideal for decoration in a vase or as an addition to a flower arrangement.

• ‘Silver Carpet’: As a perennial with a height of only 20 cm, this Wollziest is ideal as a groundcover in silvery colour. In addition, the plant is considered lazy and instead convinces with its leaves.

• 'Silky Fleece': Due to its compact growth, this variety is particularly suitable for small areas.

plant woolly goats

The optimal location for the Wollziest is sunny to full sun with a rather dry and sandy soil. It is an undemanding but reliable ground cover and prefers a rather barren, low-nitrogen substrate. Due to its hairy leaves, Wollziest does well in dry locations and does not tolerate waterlogging. In gardens, open spaces or stone structures offer the best location conditions. The Wollziest feels most comfortable in larger groups of 10 to 20 plants and can develop very well there.

Planting Wollziest at a glance:

• The ideal planting time is from September to November
• Loosen the soil and remove unwanted weeds
• Work in some sand in heavy, clayey soils
• If there is a risk of waterlogging in the subsoil, create a drainage layer of gravel or grit
• Plant plants only as deep as they were in the pot
• Fill in voids with garden soil
• Maintain a planting distance of 30 cm
• Water thoroughly after planting

Planting in a pot is also possible without any problems, provided the plant is protected from waterlogging by a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot. Here you should rely on a nutrient-poor soil. A 1:1:1 ratio of sand, clay granules and potting soil is recommended. Our peat-free and therefore more climate-friendly Plantura organic universal soil represents an ideal basis for special cultures, with which you can create your desired mixture. Stachys byzantina Due to its short stature, 'Silky Fleece' is particularly suitable for cultivation in flower pots or planters.

Wollziest can be wonderfully combined with other ornamental plants. Examples of good neighbors are:

• roses(Pink)
• lady's mantle(Alchemilla)
• Bergenia(Bergenia)
• sedum(sedum)
• lavender(Lavendula)

Tip: It is best not to combine Wollziest with tender, weakly competitive bedding perennials, as these are easily pushed out by the vigorously growing ground cover.

The right care - watering, fertilizing and Co.

The humble perennial is easy to care for, undemanding and only needs to be watered in long-lasting heat and drooping leaves. You hardly have to fertilize the Wollziest yourself. On the contrary - fertilization can even limit the willingness to flower. Too much water and fertilizer also have a negative effect on the woolly Ziest's winter hardiness.

Stachys byzantina can be cut back in autumn or spring. In autumn you should only remove the flower stalks and leave the leaf mass for energy supply. In spring it is recommended to remove the dead shoots from the previous year to make room for the new greenery.

Is Wollziest hardy?

The enormously robust plant, which can withstand temperatures down to -28.8 °C, can overwinter without any problems and does not need a cover. However, the winter hardiness is limited on wet or too nutrient-rich locations.

propagation

Propagating the Wollziest is just as simple as caring for it. This can be propagated by division or cuttings, but also by seeds and cuttings. The easiest way, however, is the way via the division, which has its optimal time in spring. To do this, dig up the plant and divide the ball into several parts that have at least 2 eyes. The sections can then be planted directly.

Sowing the Wollziest in the bed can start as early as February. Since it is a cold germ, the Wollziest needs a cold period with temperatures of 5 to 7 °C in order to be able to germinate well at all. If the temperatures then rise to 10 to 15 °C, the actual germination begins. In addition to the cool temperature, light is essential for germination. Therefore, press the seeds of the Wollziest only a little on the substrate. Also keep the seeds 30 cm apart. The sowing area should be kept evenly moist, but never too wet.

Is Wollziest poisonous?

Wollziest is non-toxic to humans and animals and can be touched by children in the garden without hesitation. Consumption is also non-toxic, but Wollziest should not be consumed in large quantities due to the alkaloids it contains. It is tasty Stachys byzantina rather bitter.

In ancient times, the leaves are said to have served as a dressing for wounds due to their size and absorbency. In addition, the Wollziest is said to have a haemostatic and anti-inflammatory effect.

In addition to the Wollziest, there are numerous others groundcover, which are easy to care for and can be beautifully integrated into the garden.