Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis) is a member of the rose family and is native to southern Europe. It is often cultivated as an ornamental garden plant and works well as ground cover or for bordering paths. In the spring it produces small greenish-yellow flowers that attract butterflies. Lady’s mantle can readily seed itself and may become invasive in some environments.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Alchemilla mollis, the garden lady’s-mantle or lady’s-mantle, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae. This herbaceous perennial plant is native to Southern Europe and grown throughout the world as an ornamental garden plant. It grows 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) tall, with leaves that are palmately veined, with a scalloped and serrated margin. The stipules are noteworthy in that they are fused together and leaf like. The chartreuse yellow flowers are held in dense clusters above the foliage. A. mollis has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. The plant self-seeds freely and can become invasive.
According to some accounts, lady’s mantle has been used for centuries as a herbal remedy. According to other authorities, however, it has never been used medicinally, but has been confused with two species that have a history of medicinal use: A. alpina (Alpine lady’s mantle) and A. xanthochlora.
The plant is often grown as ground cover, and is valued for the appearance of its leaves in wet weather. Water beads on the leaves due to their dewetting properties. These beads of water were considered by alchemists to be the purest form of water. They used this water in their quest to turn base metal into gold, hence the name Alchemilla. The Latin specific epithet mollis means “soft”, referring to the hairs on the leaves.
Lady’s mantle is an invasive species in the Faroe Islands, where local authorities have encouraged the public to uproot the plant if they find it.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Lady’s mantle grows extremely well in full sun to partial shade and will tolerate near-complete shade. In very hot climates, it will prefer some afternoon shade to avoid sunscald on the leaves.
Temperature and Humidity
Lady’s Mantle plants can adapt to a variety of climates but often need plenty of shade in hot climates.
Areas with high humidity may experience some fungus problems, particularly if the crown is kept damp. Good air circulation and allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings should help if fungal disease is a problem.
Watering
These plants are drought-tolerant once established, and they don’t like to sit in wet soil. However, in high heat or full sun, regular watering is required to prevent the leaves from turning dry and brown. Mulch around the plant, but not up to the stem, to cool the soil and preserve soil moisture. Lady’s mantle tends to hug the ground, so keep the mulch from covering the plant.
Soil
Lady’s mantle isn’t particular about soil quality, but it does best in a soil that is slightly acidic to neutral, with a soil pH of 6 to 6.5.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing is generally not necessary for lady’s mantle unless you have exceptionally poor soil. If you have inferior soil, a small amount of slow-release organic fertilizer or compost can be mixed in at the time of planting.
Planting Instructions
You can plant lady’s mantle in the spring after the last frost or in the fall, at least six weeks before the first fall frost to give the roots time to get established.
Dig a hole at least twice the size of the nursery container and deep enough to that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill the hole and gently tamp down the soil around the base. Water immediately.
Space plants 18 inches apart.
Pruning
Typically, the plant only needs the occasional cleanup of leaves as they turn brown and deadheading of flowers as they begin to fade. Deadheading the flowers is also a good idea to prevent lady’s mantle from reseeding. Cutting the plant back in the summer and watering it can produce new fall growth.
Lady’s mantle overwinters better if the leaves remain on the plant because they provide insulation. In the early spring, remove any brown and crispy leaves to make room for new growth.
Propagation
Few plants propagate more easily than lady’s mantle. Many gardeners find it easiest to carefully dig up some of the many tiny volunteer plants and move them to the desired location. But it is also possible to dig up and divide the mother plant, then plant the divisions. To do it:
- Use a shovel to dig up the entire plant (spring to late summer is the ideal time).
- With a sharp knife or spade, separate the root clump into three equal-size pieces. Each piece should have plenty of vegetation attached.
- Immediately plant the pieces in new garden locations, and water thoroughly. Continue watering every day until the new plants are well-established.
How to Grow from Seed
If you’d like to try growing seed, direct sow outdoors after all danger of frost. Barely cover the seeds and keep them well-watered. You can also start seeds indoors a couple of months before your transplant date. It takes about three to four weeks for the seeds to germinate, so be patient. When the plants reach 4 inches in height, plant them outdoors. Keep the transplants 12 inches apart; they will quickly fill in the empty spaces.
Overwintering
These easy-care plants generally don’t need any winter protection, but ground debris should be kept raked up to prevent moisture from fostering fungal diseases and crown rot.
Potting and Repotting
Lady’s mantle can be grown in a pot with large drainage holes and well-draining potting soil. However, despite its winter-hardiness, in a pot the roots are exposed and subject to freeze-and-thaw cycles. While the plant should definitely remain outdoors during the winter, the roots need protection. You can sink the pot into the ground, insulate it with a thick layer of mulch, or winterize it by placing it in a second, larger pot to create a planting silo.
Pests and Diseases
Lady’s mantle is a very sturdy, durable plant but a few problems are sometimes noticed.
Scorched Leaves
Too much harsh sun, especially in hot climates, can cause the leaves on lady’s mantle to scorch around the edges. If providing shade is not possible in such climates, you may need to remove the plants altogether in favor of a more sun-tolerant species. Providing extra water (perhaps even daily) may help sun-drenched plants survive very hot weather. Sun scorch is usually not a problem in cooler climates.
Rampant Spread
By far the most common issue with lady’s mantle is its habit of spreading too vigorously, This can be curtailed by patiently removing the flower stalks before they go to seed. Withholding water can also reduce the overall rate of blooming.
Plants Become Shabby in Late Summer
If your lady’s mantle plants become sparse and unkempt as the summer progresses, shear them back severely (you can even mow them down with a lawnmower). This will prompt a new flush of growth, making for a very lush look in the fall. Don’t worry about this harsh treatment, as these plants are not easy to kill.
How to Get to Bloom
Generally speaking, some people may prefer that lady’s mantle not bloom, since the tiny yellow-green blossoms are not very showy, and the resulting seeds create so many volunteer plants that rampant spread is a problem. Should you want the plant to bloom more profusely for some reason (such as if you have a large area you want to cover with plants), give the plants extra doses of water.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
Lady’s mantle has scalloped and toothed hairy leaves, which provide texture to edging and borders. This easy to grow plant is fully hardy and can tolerate a range of conditions, making it a popular plant for gravel gardens or awkward areas in gardens.
- Other uses
Once a popular medicinal herb, the root and leaves of lady’s mantle plant were both harvested in midsummer and used as poultices for bruises and wound healing. Its tea was used for easing menstrual pain in women as well.
