Re: stachys macrantha/sources

In a message dated 1/30/01 1:54:07 PM Eastern Standard Time, Jeaa1224@aol.com 
writes:

<< 
 Would they do well in unamended clay too?>>>>

That is a very hard question to answer.  I don't think any garden plant would 
do well in unamended clay. Stachys needs drainage or the grey fuzzy ones will 
rot.  Some of the plants listed lbelow are grown by rock gardeners and good 
drainage is the byword there.

<<<< S. lanata (byzantine, olympica) - wooly, grey foliage>>>>

This is the common lamb's ears.  Needs drainage but poor gravelly soil is OK.
 
<<<<S. l. Countess Helene von Stein (wooly, resists rot of above plant)>>>>

This the one called Big Ears.  Not as grey as lanata but does do better 
though also rots in wet soil.
 
<<<<S. minor - deep rose/pink - bottle brush-like spikes - shiny, scalloped, 
 triangular>>>>

This  one is usually sold with alpine plants and is quite small.  It holds 
the bloom for a very long time and looks good in rock arrangements.
 
 <<<<S. minor 'Alba' - samw as above w/ white blooms>>>>

Same as minor
 
<<<<S. monnieri Hummelo - rose-purple - leathery basal rosette
 S. m. Rosea - hyacinth pink bloom on shorter stems
 m. R. Compacta - same as above but dwarf (12") >>>>

I have not grown these three but would buy them if I bumped into them.  The 
stachys are mostly all hairy leafed and that is a clue to the need for 
drainage.

The only really stiff clay garden that I had grew daylilies and apogon irises 
very well.  If you have a dry summer you have a dreadful problem.  

Claire Peplowski
NYS z4

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