Lamb's ear is predominantly a foliage plant. It has a most beautiful flower that is soft lavender tucked amidst the spire of grayish white leaves. To pinch the growing tips would cause the plant to branch off. This isn't a very tall plant as it is. My Lambs Ears (Stachys) don't get more than 12 inches tall as it is (the bloom spike gets about 18 inches at most). It is a ground covering plant to begin with. The best you can do would be to pinch the taller bloom spike much to the dismay of the bees that adore it. Go ahead and let us know how it did. (it also loves hot, dry and sunny spots. To put it anywhere else will subject it to powdery mildew and rot.)

madgardener up on the ridge, back in Faerie Holler, overlooking English Mountian in Eastern Tennessee, zone 7, Sunset zone 36

Hi. I don't like the blooms of lamb's ears. I always cut all the tall stems out before blooms begin. I can't say that this makes them spread out any more since I don't have any that do bloom. I do know that they edge many of my flower beds and I keep them low for the borders. Once they get going they will spread (I would guess with or without blooms).

There is a variety (maybe more than one) of Lamb's Ear that doesn't bloom. Do a google search for Helen Von Stein Lamb's Ear. I know that Bluestone Perenniels has it, and I've seen it several other places too.

--April