Alchemilla Species, Lady's Mantle
Alchemilla mollis
Family: | Rosaceae (ro-ZAY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Alchemilla (al-kem-ILL-uh) (Info) |
Species: | mollis (MAW-liss) (Info) |
Synonym: | Alchemilla acutiloba var. mollis |
Synonym: | Alchemilla pilosissima |

Category:
Perennials
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Herbaceous
Succulent
Foliage Color:
Height:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
N/A
Bloom Color:
Green
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other details:
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements:
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting:
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Anchorage, Alaska
Girdwood, Alaska
Juneau, Alaska
Seward, Alaska
Berkeley, California
Clayton, California
Fairfield, California
Merced, California
Richmond, California
Roseland, California
Yorba Linda, California
Broomfield, Colorado
Glastonbury, Connecticut(2 reports)
Old Lyme, Connecticut
Clermont, Florida
Augusta, Georgia
Chicago, Illinois
Waukegan, Illinois
Logansport, Indiana
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Oskaloosa, Iowa
Manhattan, Kansas
Barbourville, Kentucky
Ewing, Kentucky
Fallston, Maryland
Dracut, Massachusetts
Mashpee, Massachusetts
Reading, Massachusetts
Revere, Massachusetts
Southborough, Massachusetts
Westford, Massachusetts
Owosso, Michigan
Royal Oak, Michigan
Hopkins, Minnesota
Lake Park, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota(2 reports)
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Kirksville, Missouri
Missoula, Montana
Weare, New Hampshire
Brooklyn, New York
Buffalo, New York(2 reports)
Carmel, New York
Deposit, New York
Jefferson, New York
Penn Yan, New York
Southold, New York
Devils Lake, North Dakota
Cleveland, Ohio
Glouster, Ohio
Springboro, Ohio
Canby, Oregon
Coopersburg, Pennsylvania
Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
Malvern, Pennsylvania
Mc Kean, Pennsylvania
Mercer, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Port Matilda, Pennsylvania
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Leesburg, Virginia
Lexington, Virginia
Round Hill, Virginia
Wytheville, Virginia
Aberdeen, Washington
Anacortes, Washington
Bellevue, Washington
Elma, Washington
Kalama, Washington
Olympia, Washington(2 reports)
Seattle, Washington
Spokane, Washington
Stanwood, Washington
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Wild Rose, Wisconsin
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On Jun 11, 2013, BoPo from Milwaukee, WI (Zone 5b) wrote: Planted this two summers ago in my zone 5 garden. |
Positive | On Apr 19, 2012, saskboy from Regina, SK (Zone 3b) wrote: The Ladys Mantle is a wonderful plant if you have it situated properly. It lends an informal grace to the partly shady garden. It manages to be somewhat floppy but elegant at the same time. Put it where it can lounge or cascade over the edge of a low rock wall. It does not like to be restricted; nor will it stand up straight like a soldier. It also makes a great (but somewhat large) groundcover, and a fantastic cover for TALL tulips--it effectively fills in to hide the dying tulip leaves. |
Positive | On Nov 5, 2010, ms_greenjeans from Hopkins, MN (Zone 4a) wrote: I planted these in a shade garden; wasn't sure how well I would like them -- but I really do. The foliage is especially lovely in the morning or after a rain. The flowers are more attractive than I expected and they last a long time. Similar to coral bells or hostas, these are very useful border or filler plants. |
Positive | On Aug 11, 2010, Susini from Lake Park, MN wrote: Prone to flop, but great mounding foliage, beautiful after a rainstorm. I've never had problem with self-sowing, but I've always removed the flowers once they flop. No biggie then. The flowers are "meh". Mine's in full sun, does pretty well without getting burnt. Not a standout plant but has nice shape. |
Positive | On May 16, 2010, cherrybelle4 from Minneapolis, MN wrote: Have had this plant for years, on the east side of my home, both in sun and light shade. I love the texture of the leaf, and the flower makes a great filler in vases with peonies, which bloom at the same time. Only problem is the self-seeding, which I avoid by cutting the flowers as they fade. Many friends have wanted divisions of this plant as the leaf shape is so pretty and the beading of water after a rain is lovely. |
Positive | On Apr 23, 2008, jesup from Malvern, PA (Zone 7a) wrote: Unusual texture, very pretty after rain or in the morning when drops of dew collect at the edges of each leaf like a string of diamonds. |
Positive | On Jun 6, 2007, littlelulublue from Toronto, I planted lady's mantle under a large maple tree in my front yard last year. It came back wonderfully, and looks absolutely beautiful...especially when it rains! |
Positive | On Apr 10, 2007, willmetge from Spokane, WA (Zone 5b) wrote: I grow this primarily as a foliage plant. Its soft blue foliage looks great against darker greens or, in my garden, next to Heuchera 'Purple Palace.' The water beads are an added plus. I'm indifferent to the flowers. |
Neutral | On Jun 6, 2006, sallyg from Anne Arundel,, MD (Zone 7b) wrote: I really like the foliage, but I'm having trouble finding a spot it likes. My soil is a bit sandy and last summer it was in morning sun, but the afternoon shade didn't come early enough and it scorched and is still struggling to recover. |
Positive | On Mar 22, 2006, bonehead from Cedarhome, WA (Zone 8b) wrote: It does tend to flop, but the foamy flowers before they take a nose dive is worth it. As soon as they flop, I cut the whole plant back quite severely. It recovers fairly quickly, and I usually get a second blooming. It also spreads rampantly, but is easy to keep in bounds by yanking out the wayward plants. |
Neutral | On Jul 8, 2005, daryl from vernon, BC (Zone 6a) wrote: Got three small plants from a neighbor,planted in a new full shade garden ,don't think they like it there not doing to well ,I'll see next year not to sure of my feelings on this plant rather boring looking little thing. |
Neutral | On Apr 2, 2005, SalmonMe from Springboro, OH (Zone 6a) wrote: Planted in too much sun, lady's mantle may scorch. Appreciate relief from afternoon sun, especially. Great, bold leaf texture is a very pleasing contrast with finer textured plants. |
Neutral | On Jun 29, 2003, Magazinewriter from Bloomfield Hills, MI wrote: I'm not sure what to do with this plant. On the plus side, it's healthy. On the minus side, the blooms do not stand out -- and they also don't stand UP -- they flop in every direction. |
Positive | On May 27, 2003, LisK wrote: This is a great plant for filling in while other perennials are maturing. As prior writers noted, Lady's Mantle volunteers freely, but volunteers are easily weeded or moved. Does really well in a dappled light. In prolonged heat and sun it can scorch or come down with what looks like red spider mites. If that happens, you can cut it way down and it will come back in a matter of weeks. |
Positive | On Dec 2, 2002, Weezingreens from Seward, AK (Zone 3b) wrote: In my opinion, this plants greatest charm is the way water beads up on the leaves. When the sun hits them, they look like tiny crystals. |
Neutral | On Aug 31, 2001, smiln32 from Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) wrote: Easily grown in average, medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers part afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Freely self-seeds in the garden to the point of being invasive in optimum growing conditions. Prompt removal of spent flower stems will not only prevent self-seeding but may also encourage a sparse, late summer rebloom. |
Neutral | On Mar 10, 2001, Terry from Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) wrote: Per Michigan State University Extension, Lady's Mantle should be planted with care as it can be invasive. The primary problem is profuse seed production that leads to many volunteer plants. This can be reduced by removing the flower stalks as the flowers fade. The flower color ranges from yellow to green. The blossoms can be used in either fresh or dried arrangements. The foliage is rather large and deeply lobed. |