#gardening experts - what are your favorite #plants to fill in those spots where you really don’t want to pay too much attention? I’ve been using #daylilies, #ajuga, #hostas, and #bugloss myself. Also some #lavender and #lambsear in other high sun spots.

Any other suggestions for #Zone5 (or thereabouts)?

This is one of my #NativePlant beds. It has #LambsEar #StachysByzantina - #EdiblePlant

I highly recommend #growing this #herbaceous #perennial #plant if you're in #zone8 or seeking some #HeatTolerant & #DroughtTolerant plants. It can withstand high heat & long periods without water - resilient plant.

#GardenersOfMastodon #MastodonGardeners #YYJgardeners #FoodGarden #Wsanec #Saanich #VictoriaBC #yyj #vanisle #VancouverIsland #PNW #PacificNorthwest #PlantAGarden #GrowPlantsNotHate #Gardening

#monochrome of #LambsEar - #StachysByzantina - #leaves 🍃
#Excellent for #edible #landscape #gardens 👌 It's a #medicinal #plant too. You can smash up leaves & apply to cuts/insect bites when out in the bush. Add young leaves to salad or soups or fry up. Infuse into tea to treat colds & it relieves gum & throat infections.

#Pollinators love them. #Natural #soil amender. Grows well in poor soil conditions. Low care & fast spreader.

#WoolyWoundwort #zone8 #yyj #Saanich #zone8 #plants #GrowThis

@Snu @NessaUndreza @LifeTimeCooking this looks so much like the Mexican sage I have growing in my yard, had to look it up 🤓

Some interesting uses!

~Edible. The leaves, deep fried in batter, are known as 'lambari' or fried fish in Brazil! Use them young in salads, steamed or stir-fried.
~Medicinal. Leaves can be used on insect bites, including bee-stings. ...
~Functional. A soft natural toilet paper!

#PlantNerd 🤓 #Gardening #NativePlants #LambsEar

@j4gypsy and I had a mission to take a small taste of a #lambsear given we learned recently this plant is part of the #mint family.

Who would have known, huh? 🍃

Following an original post a couple of weeks ago, and considerable discussion with many contributors here on #mastodon, I returned to the public garden the other night to find they were removed from the garden bed. So disappointed!

But this morning I was walking with a friend and spotted a hydrangea to photograph. Walked over, was about to snap away and look what was at the base!

Lambs ears!!

BTW… so soft, like shag-pile velvet 😆

Had a taste! Chomped on a leaf (didn’t swallow!) - and yes, initially I can taste a faint hint of mint… but not much at all. But it’s definitely there.

Then as I chewed tentatively, the taste was overtaken by an earthy, pungent sour taste. Quite overpowering.

So based on my layman’s taste-test, I’m not so sure it’s edible. And not certain if you’d get much aroma as a herbal tea. Unless it’s dried - not so sure. 🤷🏻‍♂️

But anyways, mystery solved (for now)!!

Makes sense to us now why it’s part of the mint family!

I think however, I’ll leave lambs ears to the garden and stick to coffee.

👏👏☕️

#urbanflora #flora #gardening #garden #melbourne #aesthetichedonist #januaryjoy #narrm #victoria #Australia #godmustbeabotanist #makesmehappy

The #LambsEar is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, native to Armenia, Iran, and Turkey.

When you feel these leaves, they are lush with a soft furry-like covering that makes them feel like… yes, lambs ears!! 😄

They flower slightly, with a light coverage of small purple petals connected to a bulbous head that rises above the extending leaves. Will look out and post when they eventually flower!

These remind me of my childhood. Was a little fave of my mothers!

Miss you mum 🙏💖

These shots taken in #Werribee #victoria #Australia

#urbanflora #flora #gardening #garden #victoria #melbourne #beautiful #vibrant #flowersofmastodon #godmustbeabotanist #makesmehappy