Lady's Mantle Alchemilla mollis
Previously known as:
- Alchemilla acutiloba var. mollis
- Alchemilla montana
- Potentilla alchemollis
- Phonetic Spelling
- al-kem-ILL-ah MAW-lis
- Description
-
Lady's Mantle is an herbaceous perennial that originated in the Eastern Carpathians and the Caucasus. It is a member of the Rose family. The genus name, Alchemilla, may be a Latinized form of an Arabic word. The species name, mollis, means soft which is an accurate description of the leaves of this plant. They are soft and downy, up to 6 inches wide, circular in shape with 9 – 11 shallow lobes. The color is a soft pale green. They form a dense mound up to 12 inches high and wide. In June the plant carries bunches (compound cymes) of starry, chartreuse flowers reaching as high as 18 inches.
The flowers do set seed and self-seeding can be a problem if it is growing in optimum conditions. Trimming the dead flowers will tidy the plant, encourage new growth, and reduce the seeding problem. The plant will spread into a dense cover and the simplest way of propagating it is through division in the spring or autumn.
Lady's Mantle does well in all types of soil as long as there is moisture and has no real preference for acidic or alkaline soils. It can grow in full sun, part shade, and shade making it perfect for underplanting shrubs and trees. In drier areas, the leaves may scorch in full sun. Aside from an occasional haircut, it requires very little care.
Lady's Mantle is perfect for a massed ground cover. It can be grown for cutting and drying and is the archetypical cottage garden plant.
One of the most endearing traits is the way the leaves hold water in near perfect droplets after a rainstorm.
Lady's Mantle tolerates rabbits and deer.
May be confused with: Alchemilla monticola
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Auslese'
Large with lime green flowers - 'Irish Silk'
2 feet tall, very florific - 'Robusta'
Upright with large leaves - 'Thriller'
Compact with flowers more green than yellow
- 'Auslese'
- 'Auslese', 'Irish Silk', 'Robusta', 'Thriller'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Auslese'
Large with lime green flowers - 'Irish Silk'
2 feet tall, very florific - 'Robusta'
Upright with large leaves - 'Thriller'
Compact with flowers more green than yellow
- 'Auslese'
- 'Auslese', 'Irish Silk', 'Robusta', 'Thriller'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Alchemilla
- Species:
- mollis
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Carpathians, Caucasus
- Distribution:
- Widely throughout the world
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Mounding
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Insignificant
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The individual flowers are shaped like tiny stars. But when the plant is in full bloom, it is like looking at sea foam. The pale chartreuse froth blends with the soft green beneath to give a beautiful display.
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-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The pale green, palmately veined, soft, downy leaves of Lady's Mantle form a spreading mound that is the perfect accent to many dark leaved shrubs. They are also complement roses well. But they are especially beautiful when covered with small droplets of rain after a summer shower.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- English Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Weedy
