Lady’s mantle
Alchemilla mollis
Type: Perennial
Blooms: Clusters of tiny, star-shaped, chartreuse flowers in late spring to early summer
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained
Pests: None serious
Size: 10 to 18 in. tall, 18 to 30 in. wide
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8
Why add lady’s mantle to your garden?
There’s something magical about lady’s mantle. Its soft, scalloped light green leaves shimmer with beads of dew, creating a jewel-like effect on a misty morning. Delicate sprays of tiny, star-shaped chartreuse blooms rise above the foliage on slender stems, reaching 12 to 18 inches tall. Blooming from late spring into early summer, the flowers bring an airy, ethereal texture to the garden.
Native to Western Asia and Europe, this hardworking perennial is more than just a pretty face — it’s versatile, reliable and easy to care for, earning its keep in any garden setting.
Best spot to grow lady’s mantle
In warmer regions, lady’s mantle grows best with afternoon shade to protect its leaves and flowers from scorching in the intense afternoon sun.
Ideal for softening the edges of pathways, as a ground cover or framing taller perennials, lady’s mantle works well in formal borders and relaxed cottage gardens. The large lobed leaves contrast with finer-textured foliage, while the clusters of chartreuse flowers blend with almost any color palette. Plus, its showy blooms can be added to fresh or dried arrangements. For a striking early summer combination, check out “A Fragrant Summer Border” below.
How to care for lady’s mantle plants
Maintaining lady’s mantle is as easy as admiring it. This perennial requires little attention beyond the occasional tidying. Remove spent flowers to prevent the plant from self-seeding and encourage a light rebloom in late summer. While it’s drought-tolerant once established, consistent watering during dry spells keeps the foliage lush. Divide it every few years to refresh its vigor and prevent overcrowding. With minimal effort, lady’s mantle will reward you with months of magic in the garden.
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What to plant with lady’s mantle
This combination creates a dreamy, layered planting full of color, texture and scent. The salvia delivers bold violet-blue spires that contrast with the fluffy clouds of chartreuse flowers of lady’s mantle. And the rose adds the finishing touch with its fragrant, deep pink blooms.
A) English shrub rose (Rosa ‘The Ancient Mariner’)
Shrub; fragrant, pink blooms in late to early summer that get lighter towards the edges and have golden yellow stamens; full sun; 4 ft. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 11
B) Salvia (Salvia nemorosa ‘Violet Riot’)
Perennial; violet-blue flowers with deep purple calyxes from late spring into early summer; full sun; 22 to 24 in. tall, 20 to 24 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8
C) Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis)
Perennial; clusters of tiny, star-shaped, chartreuse flowers in late spring to early summer; full sun to part shade; 10 to 18 in. tall, 18 to 30 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8
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