Arlene Wright-Correll

Plant Some Lambs Ear to Attract Hummingbirds



Posted: Tuesday, November 04, 2008

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I love the look of Lambs Ear and this hardy perennial does real well in hot dry summers which we seem to be getting more of here is zone 6 as evidenced by 2007 and 2008 seasons which are attributed to global warming.

Besides having masses of velvety textured leaves that look and stay fresh and crisp all season this perennial will come back every spring bearing more and more than the season before.

I love the fact that this is a grand companion to roses and I had planted about 6 plants in a rose bed about seven or eight years ago and it is just the right touch with its tall center stem grows to about 12 to 18 inches that bears lovely lavender flowers that attract many hummingbirds to it I also like the fact that the leaves of this plant stay close to the ground and even though it will spread itself quickly and fill in quickly over a season or two, I can dig up some and just plunk it down in the dirt somewhere else and in no time have a new bed of it.

For those of you who live in hot dry climates and have rock gardens then Lambs Ear is the plant for you because they will flourish there and give great color and style to borders.

This plant is very deer resistant and we have lots of deer wandering around our orchard, but nowhere in areas there is Lambs Ear.

Though I planted Lambs Ear plants that I purchased from my local gardening center one can sow seeds directly into the ground and see results.

Too much watering or even too much rain will cause the leaves of this plant to rot. Also thin out when they get too crowded as they do need good air circulation.

The Lambs Ear is a native of Southern Iran and Northern Turkey where it grows among the rocks and stones of those areas and is considered a weed. So be it, I like it and it does justice to any garden where one does not mind an invasive ground cover.

For us gardeners just know that they grow in zones 4 to 11 and can be used as an ornamental flower or even a dried flower.

An interesting fact is that Lambs Ear is a member of the mint family. Not spearmint or peppermint, but of huge family of mint that has about 200 genera and more than 3,000 species such as salvia, basil, thyme, rosemary and lavender.

"Tread the Earth Lightly" and in the meantime May your day be filled with Peace, Light and Love,

"Tread the Earth Lightly" and in the meantime May your day be filled with

Peace, Light and Love, Arlene Wright-Correll

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About the Author & Artist. Arlene Wright-Correll (1935- ___), popular American award winning Artist, published author, columnist, & is the resident art instructor for Avalon Stained Glass School, at the age of 68, decided to pick up her paint brushes again after 54 years and paint.  She is a cancer and stroke survivor who is able to strive forward each and everyday to welcome the beauty of this small planet.  She also is a China & Porcelain painter, Sandblasting & Etching, Stained Glass & fused glass Artisan. She is one of the six KY Artists who worked 6 months to create the dolls for Journey Jots in 2006 and a Smithsonian Institute art exhibit in 2008. Her published books can be found here . She is also a featured writer for GreenThumbArticles.com and teaches Art Vacation Holidays at Avalon Stained Glass School and Creativity Center.

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