Plant guide : Alchemilla mollis
Botanical name: Alchemilla mollis
A frothy mass of soft green leaves topped with acid green flowers, Alchemilla mollis (often referred to as ‘Lady’s Mantle’) is a well-loved cottage garden plant.
Its furry, folded leaves poking up through the soil in March are a sure sign Spring is on the way; as they slowly unfurl they become the perfect receptacle for catching drops of dew in the cool of the morning. By summer time, the leaves are open and the plants are covered with flower spikes, with a zingy bright yellow-green that contrasts perfectly with deep blues and purples of other cottage garden favourites.
Plant type:
Herbaceous perennial
The plant dies back every Winter and goes dormant below the ground, ready to appear again the following Spring.
Growing conditions:
A laid-back plant, Alchemilla mollis is happy in sun or shade and can cope with any soil type, as long as there is enough water. It needs moist but well drained soil.
It’s a low growing plant, so is perfect for the front of a bed or border, where taller plants can grow up behind it.
How to plant:
It’s usually found as a pot grown plant, though can be grown from seed.
Best planted in Spring or Autumn. Carefully squeeze the pot to remove the plant, and place in a hole as deep as the pot and twice as wide. Back fill with soil and gently tamp into place. Water well.
Uses:
Its gorgeous leaves work perfectly as foliage for bouquets.
Care:
Little care is needed. Once established, the plant can tolerate drought, but do water it through any dry periods for the first year after planting.
Cut flower spikes can be cut back in late Summer.
Alchemilla mollis is a prolific self-seeder, and seedlings will pop up all around. You can either leave this to grow where they are, move them to a new spot, or just weed them out if you don’t want them.
Grow with:
Alchemilla mollis is perfect for a cottage garden vibe, so looks especially good growing alongside plants that work well in this setting. Think geraniums, alliums or penstemons…
It’s a great groundcover plant, and can be perfect to grow under taller shrubs. The acid yellow flowers contrast well with deeper colours, so growing alongside plants with deep reds and clarets make a visual statement.
