Alchemilla mollis, Lady's Mantle
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Perennials

Alchemilla mollis

Lady's Mantle

Rosaceae

Caucasus, eastern Turkey, southwestern Asia

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitMounding
FoliageDeciduous
Height12–18 inches (30–45 cm)
Width18–24 inches (45–60 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Deer Resistant
Container Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

A clump-forming perennial reaching 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) tall with a similar or slightly wider spread of 18–24 inches (45–60 cm). Leaves are rounded, 2–5 inches (5–13 cm) across, with 9–11 shallow, toothed lobes and a soft, pleated texture covered in fine hairs that cause water droplets to bead and collect on the surface. Foliage is pale to mid-green, emerging in spring and remaining through summer. In late spring to early summer, branching stems bear loose clusters of tiny chartreuse-yellow flowers each approximately 3 mm across, forming airy sprays above the foliage. Flowers lack petals; the yellow-green color comes from the sepals. Plants spread modestly by short rhizomes and self-seed freely; seedlings can become weedy in moist, fertile soils. Foliage may scorch in hot, dry summers and often looks ragged by late summer in zones 7–9, warranting cutting back to regenerate fresh leaves. Hardy in zones 3–8.

Native Range

Native to the Caucasus region, eastern Turkey, and adjacent parts of southwestern Asia. Grows in moist meadows, woodland margins, and stream banks at elevations from sea level to approximately 7,000 feet (2,100 m). Naturalized in parts of western Europe and northeastern North America.

Suggested Uses

Commonly used as a groundcover or edging plant in perennial borders and shaded beds at 18–24 inch (45–60 cm) spacing. Self-seeding colonizes disturbed or moist soils; can spread into turf or adjacent beds. Flower sprays are used as filler in cut arrangements; they last approximately 7–10 days in water.

How to Identify

Identified by rounded, shallowly lobed leaves 2–5 inches (5–13 cm) across with fine hairs that cause water to bead into spherical droplets on the surface. Airy sprays of tiny chartreuse-yellow flowers appear above the foliage in late spring. Leaf edges have fine, even teeth. The pale, pleated leaves are distinctive in the garden.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'6"
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow
chartreuse

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks
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SpringSummer
Blooms May through July in zones 4–7. In zone 3, bloom may begin in June; in zones 8–9, bloom often finishes by June before summer heat sets in. Individual flowers are small and last several days; the overall flowering period extends 4–6 weeks. Cutting back plants after bloom may encourage a secondary flush of foliage.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

chartreuse-yellow

Foliage Description

pale to mid-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclay
Drainage
moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1–2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial shade to full sun in cool climates; afternoon shade is needed in zones 7–9 to prevent leaf scorch. Water regularly during establishment; established plants are moderately drought-tolerant but foliage quality declines in prolonged dry periods. Cut plants back to 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) in midsummer if foliage becomes ragged from heat or after bloom; new foliage will regenerate within 2–3 weeks. Self-seeding is prolific — deadhead promptly after bloom if seedling spread is not desired. Divide clumps every 3–5 years in spring to maintain vigor; outer divisions establish readily.

Pruning

Cut back spent flower stems and any ragged or scorched foliage to 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) above ground in midsummer to encourage fresh leaf growth. A second cutback in early fall tidies plants before winter. In zones 3–5, foliage may die back naturally; cut to ground level in late fall or early spring.

Pruning Schedule

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summerfall

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic