How to Preserve Lambs Ear
Thus sweet garden perennial, Lambs Ear, dries beautifully.
Here’s how plus four ways to use dried Lambs Ear in your home decor.
I have a bit of a garden secret.
And since we’re friends, I’m sharing that secret with you.
I mean, it’s not like I promised anyone I’d keep it secret or anything. It’s not that kind of secret.
Did you know Lamb’s Ear — that prolific perennial garden grower — dries beautifully? That it retains its signature soft silvery sage color and that soft fuzzy texture?
I know!
I was surprised, too!
Aren’t those the sweetest leaves?
I actually appreciate them more inside, up close than I ever have in the garden. Maybe because the soft fluffiness is all the way down at my feet as they grow as a ground cover and the soft color gets overwhelmed by the bright show-offs of the garden. Definitely relegated to supporting role status.
But inside, up close, the Lambs Ear is the ingenue, the new star.
So How Do You Preserve Lambs Ear?
Step 1) Harvest Your Lambs Ear
Using sharp shears, I cut mine as late as possible. I was harvesting from my lovely neighbors yard and I didn’t want to take them while she was still able to enjoy them. I harvested after a couple of light freezes had already hit. Late October in NW Missouri.
Make sure you harvest after any dew or rainfall has evaporated. They should be dry when you cut them and bring them in, helping to eliminate any potential mold. I had none, so I don’t know how likely this is. But it’s standard advice whenever you’re harvesting for drying purposes.
Cut the stems as long as possible, giving you more potential in arrangements.
I immediately placed some with longer stems into short dry bud vases and enjoyed them all through the house, while they were working hard drying.
I had another 100 or so leaves on a table laying out flat. (sorry, didn’t grab a picture of that).
I turned some of the leaves what I would call upside down — with the spine of the leaf up. This prevented those from curling in while drying, Some I laid “right side up” (the leaf spine on the table) so that as they dried, the edges of the leaves would have a bit of natural curl to them.
This gives variety so that with some leaves fully open and some just opening up. Just as we would see them fresh in the garden.
I gathered several multi-leaf sprigs and left them intact while drying.
Originally, I thought these might be good for boutonnieres for our daughter’s wedding, but they also worked great for making charming bundles to hang or set about.
So I suggest leaving your multi-leaf sprigs intact. When you are ready for a project, you can always pull them apart then if that’s what you need.
There really isn’t anything more to it.
It’s really this simple!
Step 2) That’s It! You’re Done!
They do all the hard work.
They hold a lot of water in their stems. You’ll see that the stems slowly start to shrivel up, but those charming leaves shrink just a bit, but really nothing more. They do get brittle over time so be aware of that.
Store them loosely in a sturdy box with plenty of space.
As I moved them to the box for storage during the busy holidays, I was careful to arrange them by general size. The box was much fuller, but this picture is after I made a wreath and the bundles below, so not as full and not as organized!
This organization was really helpful.
They look so much like the fresh version, but they are actually rather fragile. So I was glad I didn’t have to dig through the box to find the size I needed. Just an extra tip from me to you.
What Can You Do With Lambs Ear?
Specifically, Dried Lambs Ear?
NOTE: don’t plan on your wreaths or arrangements lasting for years.
I’m good with that because I am planting a field of lambs ear for next year. And it’s part of my Christmas plan (shhhh, act surprised, okay?).
How About a Wreath?
TIP: As they dry, they do become brittle, so it’s best to do any intricate arranging, such as this wreath, within a week or so of cutting.
The wreath tutorial is waiting for you here.
Or How About Christmas Ornaments?
Isn’t she the sweetest! And here are the full details.
TIP: The ornaments need to be made with fresh cuttings (within a day or two is best). The color and texture remains as they dry, but they do become brittle.
And How About Little Lambs Ear Trees?
..while
Aren’t these charming?
They are not hard to make, but they do not last as long as the ornaments and wreaths do. I loved having them for several weeks to enjoy during the holidays. You can find all the details here.
And that’s just for starters! Here’s a blog post brimming with more ways to use them in decor, crafts and while entertaining.
Here and Now, Let’s Talk about Bundles!
We already talked about, and I showed you several pictures of little groupings of Lambs Ear leaves on longer stems in small vases. Easy peasy!
But maybe you want something sweet to hang:
- in a window
- in the center of a wreath
- in the center of an empty vintage frame
- on an armoire door
- in a gallery grouping for a touch of soft texture
- on a wall as part of a shelf vignette
- on a bedpost
. . . just a few ideas to get you going
Or lay one on an antique book on a sidetable, or amoungst your shelf displays, on kitchen open shelves, . . .
Let’s Make Lambs Ear Bundles:
Pick out two or three of your multi-leaf sprigs that layer well together.
There are lots of ways of doing this, but I used two 16-inch lengths of sheer wired ribbon.
Make a loop in one of these by tying a slip knot about 1/3 of the way in.
Lay that ribbon on your work surface with the loop up. Place your bundles of leaves on the long length.
Wrap the second ribbon around several times and knot in back.
Keep it sweet and simple to match the sweeet simplicity of the leaves.
A blog post on how to make the wreath is coming very soon!
I hope you give this gives you inspiration to add Lambs Ear to your plantings if you don’t have some already. Just imagine the fun we will have with this in the Fall!
This is great information. I’ve had Lambs Ear in my little garden by the back door for years. It’s prolific and spreads. I sometimes have to thin it out.
But now I can put it to good use and bring the beauty inside. Thanks. ❤️❤️
YES! And I love it even moire indoors!
Never knew – I will be putting Lambs Ear in my garden this spring and will try drying in the Fall. thanks for the info.
Thanks for this post! Guess I need to plant more lambs ear this spring for drying. I love to see wreaths with lambs ear in them.
Fantastic! I have several beds of this lovely stuff. I never even thought about drying. Thank you so much!
I’m so glad to help! I can’t wait to see what you do with them. Please share some pics.
Hello, I am doing a wedding this weekend with lambs ear and I’m wondering if it will hold up fresh in a boutonniere or if it’s going to flop don’t think it has time to dry in four days. Could you please advise me thank you.
It will be lovely fresh. Once it dries, that’s when it become brittle and delicate. So It is actually better for a boutonnière to make it with fresh.
Please send pics, I’d love to see and share.
I had no idea that lamb’s ear would dry so nicely!! The bundles will look so beautiful in your Christmas decor! I need to plant a field too! Thanks for sharing! Pinned! And BTW I found you love on the FB Thistlewood Mastermind page!
Thank you so much for the tips and the creative inspiration. I plan on using my Lambs Ears, along with a bunch of Dusty Miller leaves that I also grow. They are very similar and add another interesting texture. There are different varieties that you can choose from.
I am doing a mostly gold and white Thanksgiving centerpiece’s for the tables I set up. I love using items from nature.
P.S. A fine floral glitter spray adds a beautiful, delicate shimmer to arrangements and if fabulous to spray on cloth tablecloths that washes out.
Actually this is a medicinal plant too. It can be used for cuts, scrapes, burns and bacterial infections. Also makes a good tea and aids health.
Wow! That’s really great to know. Thanks for sharing that with all of us!
Mylambs ear is known as pioneers first aid to stop bleeding and also anti inflammation / antibiotic (?). Am looking for more info and how to preserve for these uses.
I love my lambs ears throughout my gardens, and they really attract the pollinators! I read it was used during the Civil War to place on wounds as an antibiotic, cleansing agent. Interesting. I will have to try that. I love your wreath and I will go out tomorrow and “prune” some of my “ears”! Thanks.
I am hearing more and more about lambs ear having medicinal properties. Hurray! And I can’t wait to show everyone how I used Lambs ear for one of my Christmas displays. Stay tuned!
I dried some lamb’s ears in my food dehydrator when I dried cherry tomatoes. They came out great! I put a small handful in a little yellow ceramic bird that has a hole in it’s back. I think it’s from the 50s. Looks so cute!
That sound delightful Joan! Do you have a picture you can send me? I never thought about putting them in a dehydrator. I just let them dry in their display.
Great idea!
Thanks Renae! I just can;t stop laying with the Lambs Ear!
Wow – who knew?! These are beautiful. I’m going to try to find some to dry myself. Thanks! 🙂
Oh, yea! I think I need to plant a whole field of it next year. One of three things I’ve found so far that the deer will leave alone.
It sprouts everywhere I’ve found some in the front yard side yard and in between. They come back everyday.. my ducks won’t eat it lol I’ve been worried about them getting in my garden
Diane, I love this. I’m definitely planting some lambs ear. Hugs to you, my friend.
Thank you for this post. My brother brought us several clumps of lambs ear from his house before Annie’s wedding. It is definitely prolific. I have a lot in my yard.
I love this idea. I’m going to go cut some tomorrow and bring them in to dry.
There is so much you can do with these sweet little leaves.
Your little clumps with ribbon gave me great idea to decorate my tree this year. I have roses coming so will tube them and keep it simple
I love this idea Beth Anne. Please send me pics!!!
Good to know.
Thank for the info about drying this wonderful plant.. I’ve tried it time to time.. but, mine turns brown.. not sure what I’m not doing g!
Do you have it in bright sunlight? That could cause it. Mine stays nicely for maybe 2 to 3 years. It does get brittle with time.
How long should I dry before making small trees or ornament and how long will trees last?
Hi Sonya, Thanks for the great questions! I have an updated post that shares 13 things to make with lambs ear. The suggested length of drying time for each project is listed in blue for each project. For instance the ornaments are best with fresh leaves as they need to be pliable to glue to the curve of the bulb.