Lady's Mantle — (c) Anders Sandberg, some rights reserved (CC BY)

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Lady's Mantle

Alchemilla mollis

Also called Garden Lady's Mantle

Flower Identified 1 time

About Lady's Mantle

This tough perennial forms soft mounds of velvety green scalloped leaves. In summer it produces frothy sprays of chartreuse blooms. Rain beads like little pearls across the water-repellent foliage.

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 12–18 in
Spread: 18–24 in
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate once established
Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained soil
Hardiness: Hardy to -30 °F
Flowers: June to August
Growth: Clumping and mounding
Toxicity: Not known to be toxic
Native to: Eastern Europe and southwestern Asia

How to recognise it

Dense, frothy clusters of tiny lime-yellow flowers
Soft, fan-shaped scalloped green leaves
Mounding, low-growing clump habit

Caring for Lady's Mantle

Watering

Every week

How often: Once a week during dry spells
How much: About 1 in of water
When: Morning
Tips: Aim water at the roots to keep the leaves clean.

Feeding

How often: Once a year in spring
What to use: Balanced compost or organic plant food
When: Early spring
How: Spread a thin layer around the base

Pruning

When: Midsummer after flowering, and late autumn
How: Cut spent flower stems back to the ground
Tips: Cutting it back hard triggers a fresh flush of clean leaves.

Jobs it will ask for

Snip faded flower heads Cut old flower stems down to the leaves so it does not drop seeds everywhere.
Clear tired autumn leaves Pull away any yellowing or mushy leaves around the base to keep crowns clean.

Through the year

Spring

Mulch around the base. Soft new leaves will push up quickly.

Summer

Enjoy the flowers. Cut stems back when blooms turn brown.

Autumn

Tidy dying foliage and remove seed heads before they scatter.

Winter

The plant rests underground. Dublin frosts will not harm it.

What to watch for

Unwanted seedlings sprouting in pavement cracks or borders: Cut off faded flower heads before seeds turn brown and drop.
Tattered, scorched leaves in late summer heat: Shear the whole clump to ground level and water well. Fresh foliage regrows in two weeks.

Reference photos

Compare what's in your garden with confirmed photos of Lady's Mantle.

Photos from iNaturalist contributors.

Written by Garden Rescue from photo identifications, in US units. Local advice from your extension service or garden centre beats a general guide.