About

Stachys olympica 'Silver Carpet' is a silver-foliaged cultivar of Stachys with densely woolly leaves that form a low mat. It bears small, pale purple flower spikes from June to September on erect stems typically 40–80 cm tall. The plant behaves as a herbaceous perennial and often remains evergreen in milder winters but can die back after severe cold. New growth usually regenerates from the crown the following season.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Stachys byzantina

About the genus

Stachys is a genus of plants, one of the largest in the mint family Lamiaceae. Estimates of the number of species vary from about 300 to about 450. Plants of the World Online accepts 373 species.

Wikipedia contributors, "Stachys", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Stachys

In the garden

A member of the genus Stachys, Stachys olympica 'Silver Carpet' exhibits the genus's distinctive woolly, silvery foliage and upright flowering stems. The cultivar is grown primarily for its tactile leaves and the contrast they provide when paired with bolder-leaved or darker-flowered plants. Flowering occurs from June to September, when small pale purple blooms appear on stems that can reach about 40–80 cm. Plant where the silver leaves can form a visible carpet at ground level; a sunny to lightly shaded spot helps the foliage show its colour while allowing flower spikes to develop. It behaves as a herbaceous perennial and will often retain foliage in milder winters but may die back under harder frost and then re-sprout from the crown in spring. Cutting back spent flower stems after flowering keeps the plant tidy and encourages fresh basal leaves. Use 'Silver Carpet' at the front of borders, along pathways where its soft leaves can be appreciated, or in gravel and rock plantings where the pale foliage creates contrast. Leave a little space around the crown to allow new shoots to emerge cleanly after winter dieback.

More in the Stachys genus

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  Stachys 'Hidalgo'
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  Stachys albens
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  Stachys alpinalimestone woundwort
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  Stachys arvensisfield woundwort
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  Stachys byzantinalamb's ear
• 
  Stachys byzantina 'Cotton Boll'lamb's ear 'Cotton Boll'
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  Stachys chrysantha
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  Stachys coccineascarlet woundwort