Scientific Name
Alchemilla mollis (Buser) Rothm.
Common Name(s)
Lady's Mantle, Garden Lady's Mantle
Synonym(s)
Alchemilla acutiloba subsp. mollis, Alchemilla acutiloba, Alchemilla glareosa, Alchemilla major, Alchemilla montana, Alchemilla pilosissima, Alchemilla pontica
Scientific Classification
Family: Rosaceae
Subfamily: Rosoideae
Tribe: Potentilleae
Genus: Alchemilla
Flower
Color: Bright yellow
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Origin
This species is native to southern Europe and grown throughout the world as an ornamental garden plant.
Description
Alchemilla mollis is a herbaceous perennial plant that forms a clump of softly hairy light green leaves with scalloped and toothed edges. It grows up to 18 inches (45 cm) tall and up to 24 inches (60 cm) wide.
The flowers are small, bright yellow, and appear in large sprays just above the foliage. They hang on for several weeks.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 3a to 8b: from −40 °F (−40 °C) to 20 °F (−6.7 °C).
How to Grow and Care
There's not much involved with caring for Lady's Mantle. It's a very carefree plant and doesn't require special attention or fertilizer.
Regular watering is only required when the plant is located in full sun or during times of extreme heat. Even then, it should be just enough to moisten the soil. It does not like to be waterlogged.
Warm regions with high humidity may have fungal problems, mainly if the crown is kept damp. Providing adequate air circulation and allowing the soil to dry out slightly should help remedy this.
Since Lady's Mantle is prone to reseeding and can become mildly aggressive in some areas, deadheading the flowers as they start to dry helps prevent it from spreading into unwanted parts of the garden. Though its foliage remains semi-evergreen throughout winter, you should remove older leaves as they brown.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla).
Links
- Back to genus Alchemilla
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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