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Lady's Mantle

Herbaceous Perennial Flower, Herb

Also known as Lady's Cloak
Alchemilla sp. (Alchemilla vulgaris, Alchemilla mollis)
Rosaceae Family

Both species of this historic medicinal herb produce attractive, low-growing plants for border and rock garden planting. Flower stems arch above foliage in early June through July.

	Site and Plant Characteristics
	Growing Information
	Varieties

Site Characteristics

Sunlight:

full sun
part shade

Soil conditions:

requires well-drained soil

Prefers alkaline soils. Apply lime if soil is too acid.

Hardiness zones:

3 to 7

Does not thrive in hot climates.

Special locations:

rock gardens

Plant Traits

Lifecycle: perennial

Ease-of-care: easy

Height: 1 to 2 feet

Spread: 1.5 to 2.5 feet

Bloom time:

early summer
mid-summer

Early June through July.

Flower color:

yellow
green

Small flowers are yellow-green and in highly branched clusters.

Foliage color: gray-green

Leaves are soft grayish-green.

Foliage texture: coarse

Gleaming drops of moisture gather in stem joints in Alchemilla vulgaris.

Shape: cushion, mound or clump

Forms a low fibrous clump.

Shape in flower: same as above

Erect flowerstems borne above mound of foliage.

Special Considerations

Tolerates:

frost

Special characteristics:

deer resistant
non-aggressive - Self seeds, but not hard to control.
non-invasive
not native to North America - Native to Europe.

Special uses:

cut flowers
dried flowers - Fine inflorescence texture makes an excellent dried flower.

Growing Information

How to plant:

Propagate by seed, division or separation - Divide plants in spring or late summer by root division.
Plant self-sows. If starting plants from seed, then sow seeds in moist, rich, alkaline soil.

Maintenance and care:

Deadhead flowers to prevent self seeding.
Cutting back and watering in summer can produce new fall growth.
Lime should be added if soil tends to be acid.

More growing information: How to Grow Perennials

Varieties

Most commonly cultivated species are Alchemilla mollis and Alchemilla vulgaris.
Alchemilla mollis is similar in appearance to Alchemilla vulgaris but smaller and more robust. It is used in flower beds for decorative purposes.
Leaves of Alchemilla vulgaris are used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.