Alchemilla

Alchemilla

Lady’s Mantle

Position: full sun or partial shade
Soil: well-drained soil
Flowering period: June to August
Height:0,3-0,6m
Foliage: deciduous
Hardiness: fully hardy

Alchemilla, commonly known as lady’s mantle, is a versatile perennial that will make excellent groundcover. It grows well beneath roses and other shrubs. Also useful for edging paths.

Varieties

Alchemilla erynthropa

Alchemilla erynthropa. This variety is a compact low-growing plant that looks great at the front of a border. It bears hairy bluish-green leaves and yellow-green flowers appear in early summer.

Achemilla erynthropa will reach between 15-20 cm in height.

Alchemilla mollis

Taller at 60cm, Alchemilla mollis bears attractive, sprays of lime-green flowers above scalloped, bright green leaves.  This fully hardy perennial is easy to grow and a good weed suppressor. It flowers from June to August.

Alchemilla erynthropoda                          Alchemilla mollis

Pruning

Pruning Alchemilla ( lady’s mantle ). Cut back the faded flower stems after they have flowered. If the foliage looks tatty, you can also cut back the foliage near ground level, when flowering is finished.

New, fresh leaves will quickly emerge from the base. The plant will often produce a second flush of flowers.

Care

Alchemilla self-seeds easily, especially in damp conditions. If you don’t want seedlings, remove the spent flowers immediately after flowering.

How to grow

Plant spacing. Plant Alchemilla 30-40 cm apart. Alchemilla does best if planted in full sun but will also thrive in partial shade. It prefers well-drained soil.

Plant combination

Lady’s mantle companion plants. Alchemilla mollis looks good with Hostas, Digitalis, Salvia nemorosa, and ornamental grasses.

Salvia nemorosa