Stachys b. Silver Carpet
Best low-maintenance ground cover for sunny, drought-prone garden landscapes.
The Stachys b. 'Silver Carpet' from Cornell Farm is a perennial ground cover celebrated for its dense, woolly foliage in a striking silvery-white hue. Its leaves have a distinctive texture, closely resembling the soft feel of a lamb's ear. This variety is highly drought tolerant once established, making it a resilient choice for sunny garden areas. It thrives best in full sun and is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9. Reaching a modest height of 6 inches, it spreads to cover approximately 24 inches wide, creating a beautiful, low-growing silver carpet effect.
$17.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
29
/ 2989
#29 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-35%
Below average
Foliage Color
Silvery-white
/ Silvery-white
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking high-contrast, tactile landscape textures
- Xeriscaping enthusiasts needing water-wise, low-maintenance groundcover
- Minimalists wanting tidy, non-invasive garden borders
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in humid regions with poor soil drainage
- Shady garden owners looking for dense, silver foliage
- Homeowners needing durable plants for high-traffic pathways
Performance breakdown
Drought Resilience
Establishes quickly to thrive with minimal supplemental watering.
Visual Impact
Striking silver foliage creates a high-contrast anchor for garden beds.
Growth Habit
Dense, low-growing spread effectively suppresses weeds in sunny spots.
Climate Adaptability
Impressive range across USDA zones makes this a versatile perennial choice.
Tactile Appeal
Soft, woolly texture adds a sensory layer to garden borders.
Maintenance Ease
Requires little attention once settled into well-drained soil.
Key Specs
Foliage Color
Silvery-white
Mature Height
6 inches
Mature Spread
24 inches
Hardiness Zones
USDA 3-9
Sun Exposure
Full sun
Plant Type
Groundcover
Plant Life Cycle
Perennial
Water Needs
Low
Features
- Dense, silvery-white, woolly foliage
- Soft leaf texture like a lamb's ear
- Highly drought tolerant once established
- Low-growing habit for ground cover
- Hardy perennial for cooler climates
- Provides strong visual contrast
- Excellent for sunny garden areas
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the Stachys Silver Carpet upon arrival. Reviewers note the plants are healthy, well rooted, and securely packaged, resulting in minimal transplant shock. The primary appeal is its soft silvery texture, which serves as a reliable groundcover. This plant establishes quickly, offering excellent value for creating low maintenance, textural garden spaces. Its reliability makes planting effortless, even for novice gardeners.
Know before you buy
Unlike other varieties of Stachys, 'Silver Carpet' is primarily grown for its foliage and rarely produces flowers. This makes it an excellent choice if you prefer a consistent, uniform look throughout the growing season.
Since each plant spreads to about 24 inches wide, you should space them approximately 18 to 24 inches apart. This allows the plants to eventually grow together to create a solid, continuous carpet of silver foliage.
Because of its woolly texture, this plant prefers well-drained soil and good air circulation. In humid climates, avoid overhead watering to keep the leaves dry and prevent potential rot.
This is a hardy perennial suitable for USDA Zones 3 through 9. It is well-adapted to cold winters and will typically go dormant, returning with fresh growth in the spring.
It thrives in well-drained soil, including rocky or sandy conditions. It does not tolerate heavy, waterlogged clay, so ensure your planting site has excellent drainage to keep the roots healthy.
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$18