How to Make a Lamb’s Ear Bow

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Lorraine Shannon

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Lamb’s ear – it’s the highlight of any perennial garden, especially for kids. The soft, silvery leaves of this wonderful, easy-to-grow perennial (also known as Stachys byzantina) just invite kids to reach out and touch. Not only is lamb’s ear a great point of contrast in the garden, its soft and easy-to-work-with leaves can be used to make a natural bow that will enhance any flower arrangement, wreath or gift.

All it takes is a few materials and a bit of time to get through five little steps.

Materials:

Five lamb’s ear leaves: two large (about 5 inches long), two medium (about 1 inch shorter than the large leaves) and one small (about 1½ inches shorter than the large leaves). Leave about a ½ inch of stem on one of the large leaves, but break off the stems on the others.
A round toothpick or approximately 10 inches of raffia

Instructions:

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Photo Credit: Lorraine Shannon

Step 1: Fold the large leaf with the stem in half end to end – but don’t crease it. Hold it in your left hand. Then gently fold the other large leaf end to end, and place it over the first leaf by slightly overlapping the two ends. This forms the “loops” of the bow.

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Photo Credit: Lorraine Shannon

Step 2: Hold both leaves in your left hand and add the medium-sized leaves on a slight angle to the back of the “loops.” This forms the “tails” of the bow.

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Photo Credit: Lorraine Shannon

Step 3: Holding all four leaves with your left hand, fold the smallest leaf in half lengthwise, and wrap it around the other leaves so that the ends meet in the back.

Warnings

To keep lamb’s ear leaves from rotting in the garden, avoid overwatering the plant and watering from overhead. If you find there are too many “little lambs,” thin the planting to allow adequate air circulation.

Facts

Lamb’s ear is hardy in zones 4-8. It prefers well-drained, average soil and a sunny or partial-shade location.
Most lamb’s ear varieties produce a flower spike with small, light purple blooms that attract bees. But it’s the low-growing leaves that are the real appeal of this plant.

Tips

Lamb’s ear makes a great addition to a children’s garden or sensorial garden.

Tools

If you don’t have raffia or a round toothpick, then a small, sturdy twig from the garden can be used in a pinch.

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