Alchemilla vulgaris
Lady's-mantle
Overview
Alchemilla vulgaris is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial of the rose family, forming mounds 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall and 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) wide. The name covers an aggregate of closely related, mostly apomictic microspecies that set seed without fertilisation. Its rounded, soft-green leaves are palmately lobed into 7-11 shallow, toothed segments and folded like a fan, with a covering of hairs that holds beads of dew and rain at the centre. From late spring the plant sends up branching sprays of tiny yellow-green flowers, each about 0.1 inch (3 mm) across and lacking true petals, the colour coming from the sepal-like calyx. The airy clusters rise just above the foliage and hold their colour for several weeks before fading to brown. After flowering the clumps can look tired, and shearing renews the leaves. It grows in damp grassland, mountain pastures, and open woodland across its range. The plant self-seeds freely, sometimes to the point of becoming weedy in beds and paving. One limitation is that dried flower stems and seedlings can spread well beyond the original clump.
Native Range
Native to upland and northern Europe, including Britain, with related microspecies across temperate Eurasia, where it grows in damp meadows, grassy slopes, and streamsides.Suggested Uses
Planted as groundcover, path and border edging, and underplanting in mixed and cottage-style beds, usually spaced 16-18 inches (40-45 cm) apart. The flowering sprays are cut fresh or dried for arrangements. Its tendency to self-seed suits informal schemes more than tightly controlled plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 1'6"
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from June to August, with frothy yellow-green sprays held above the leaves. The petalless flowers are rich in nectar and visited by many small flies, bees, and beetles. Seed follows readily, as most plants set viable seed without pollination.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Lady's-mantle grows in full sun to partial shade on most moisture-retentive soils, and performs poorly only where the ground is hot and dry. It tolerates clay, loam, and chalk, and needs no staking or feeding in ordinary garden soil. Cutting the whole plant back hard after flowering removes browning stems and triggers a flush of clean new leaves. Division in spring or autumn keeps clumps vigorous and is the simplest way to increase stock. Self-sown seedlings appear freely and can be lifted where not wanted. The plant dies back to the rootstock in winter and reshoots in early spring.Pruning
Shearing the whole mound to near ground level once flowering fades removes the browning sprays and refreshes the foliage. A second, smaller flush of leaves and occasional flowers follows in late summer. Cutting the flower stems before seed ripens curbs prolific self-sowing.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons