Lady's-mantle
Alchemilla mollis

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

Alchemilla mollis is a deciduous Perennial growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.8 m (2ft 6in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. It cannot tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Moist meadows, open woods, pastures and also on rock ledges in mountainous areas

Native to southern Europe and grown throughout the world as an ornamental.

Conservation Status: Not Listed

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

None Known. Although widely planted in herb gardens A. Mollis has no medicinal properties. The species Alchemilla xanthochlora and Alchemilla alpina are recommended.

Other

Rating: 3

A good ground cover plant. Grow as ground cover in shade or or beneath open shrubs and trees. Will self-seed into gravel or cracks between paving. Great at the front of borders, as edging for paths or massed as a ground cover. A clump-forming perennial forming dense, leafy mounds of light green leaves.

How it is grown

An low growing herbaceous perennial plant making an excellent ground cover that grows in a clumping manner. Moist but well-drained soil in sun to partial shade. Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade, partial shade. Shade type: Damp. Hardiness: Hardy. Soil type: Well drained, light, sandy, clay, heavy, moist. Soil pH:5.5 to 7.5. Hardiness Zones:3 to 8. The plant tolerates close to full shade. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). Dies down completely in winter.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 16c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on a cold frame for their first winter, planting out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring or autumn. The divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, though we find it best to pot them up and keep them in a sheltered position until they are growing away well.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 3-8

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Self-seeds freely but not usually a problem.

Its other names

Local names

Garden lady's-mantle, Lady's-mantle

Synonyms

A. acutiloba Steven. A. hort. Alchemilla major auct. A. montana Schur. A. vulgaris subsp. acutiloba (Steven) Nyman.