Here we have a garden plant which at one time I felt completely indifferent towards. Alchemilla Mollis also known as Lady’s Mantle. Strangely enough its grown on me and I now find is in fact a brilliant perennial with foamy clusters of tiny star like flowers with velvety soft olive-green leaves. The foliage catches and holds water drops while sparkling in the sun. The flower colour ranges from yellow to green and blooms in early summer.
This plant is at its very best in early to mid June, however the fresh look can be quickly regained by cutting hard back when the plant is looking tired,new leaves start to grow almost overnight.
A very useful plant which tends to seed itself around the garden freely, looks good grown with Roses or hardy Geraniums. So get over the idea that common is bad, yes its great to have these hard to find plants that add interest, but remember plants like Alchemilla gained their popularity for a very good reason.
Given the RHS prestigious award of garden merit, Alchemilla Mollis will not let you down.
Mail order this plant = (From Crocus);
Hardiness – Fully hardy
Height – 60cm/24″
Position – Full sun/Full shade
Another Lady’s Mantle which is in fact almost identical to the above specimen is Alchemilla Mollis Auslese. Not quite so Tall, still robust but has an all round tidier habit.
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Another variety is Alchemilla Erythrthropoda. A dwarf form which is just perfect in the rockery or at the very front of the border
© 2011, Alistair. All rights reserved.
Howdy Alistair… I have a few alchemilla’s in the garden… One year many years ago, I found many seedlings and grew them on… I don’t think the parent plant exists any longer. It was the only time I ever found seedlings of this plant which strikes me as odd. Is it spring yet by you?!!! Lots to do before that on this end! Larry
Hi Larry, they generally do reseed copiously. No where near Spring yet two months off.
Alistair this is one of my fav plants, I also have Alchemilla ellenbeckii, miniture lady’s mantle, it’s very tiny with red stems, it’s also in a bed that needs serious sorting out and it’s one of the plants that has spread too far, I think it would make a good ground cover plant, Alchemilla Mollis was given to me by a neighbour and has spread well, as I have the room I leave or reposition seedlings, I also have Alchemilla Vulgaris which is a bit smaller than Mollis, I didn’t know there were even more varieties thanks for the info, Frances
Ah, someone else who likes Alchemilla.
I love the leaves, but can’t overcome my dislike of yellow flowers. It can change although. It was time when I didn’t like hosta. Now, I can’t get enough of it.
Yellow flowers, I wonder if it is because we are flooded with yellow in Spring. Mind you what about some of those gorgeous yellow Roses or Lilies.
I have never been very fond of Lady’s Mantle but many are. The reseeding is what I find to be a bit of a problem, plus like you mentioned, it is a bit common. Your dwarf variety is most interesting. I may have a look.
The leaves are amazing Donna, they do reseed perhaps too generously.
Amazing to me how much the second one’s foliage resembles strawberries. I love plants with chartreuse flowers.
I love Alchemilla mollis, I am going to sow seed this Spring as I don’t currently have any but I know it will look wonderful under my birches.
I think that would be an ideal spot Janet.
Lovely bright clusters of yellow flowers and the leaves really hold water and glisten in the sun, how beautiful!
I love how raindrops are held in the leaves like little jewels. We have mollis and the alpine version. The alpine version is very well-behaved and ‘cute’ unlike mollis which would take over wouldn’t it?
Yes you really do have to keep it in check
Hello, I love Lady’s mantle, and my daughter has lots of it in her garden, which my son in-law hates. Is it possible to dig some up to transplant into my garden?
Its a great plant Rosie, and seeds itself around sometimes too freely for some peoples liking. Dig it up and transplant as many as you wish give it a good soaking.
regards Alistair.