The various kinds of betony all have angular upright stems and soft, hairy leaves, usually aromatic. The labiate flowers are clustered along the upper parts of the stems, often small in themselves, but together making attractive splashes of colour, which is usually in the pink-purple range.

Stachys byzantina 'Silky Fleece' is Lamb's lugs, but from the tenderest baby lambs. It is just 25 cm tall when in flower, with spikes of plum-coloured flowers. The rest of the time it is just a soft and silkily smooth as the rest of its clan.