Alchemilla

Alchemilla

Lady’s Mantle

Position: full sun or partial shade
Soil: moist, well-drained soil
Flowering period: June to August
Height: 30-60cm
Foliage: deciduous
Hardiness: fully hardy

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

Varieties

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. Taller at 60 cm, Alchemilla mollis produces sprays of lime-green flowers but the leaves have a bright green colour. It is an easy plant to grow.

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.

Plant spacing.

Plant Alchemilla 30-40 cm apart.

Plant combination

Alchemilla looks good with Hostas, Digitalis, Salvia nemorosa, and ornamental grasses.

Salvia nemorosa