Alchemilla

( al - kem - MILL - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Lady's Mantle, this genus of flowering perennial groundcover needs full sun in cool climates and partial shade elsewhere. These somewhat old-fashioned plants need regular water, and are useful for edgings and borders of partially-shaded areas in the garden. Leaves are generally pale green and lobed, with a silvery sheen to them. They are known for holding on to morning dew with their fine hairs. Flowers bloom in late spring to summertime and are yellow-green, appearing in branched clusters Blooms can be used as filler in cut flower arrangements. These plants are deer and rabbit resistant, and will attract butterflies to the garden. Lady's Mantle forms clumps, and spreads slowly by underground rhizomes. It is considered somewhat invasive due to its self-seeding capacity. Use these subshrubs in mixed beds and borders, containers, as a small space groundcover, or as a pollinator plant.

Alchemilla Species and Varietals

There are about 700 distinct species in the genus Alchemilla, which is in the Rosaceae family. Alchemilla refers to the plant's use in alchemy; the dew or rain collected by the leaves was used in attempts to turn base metals into gold. The common name, Lady's Mantle, is thought to be a reference to the Virgin Mary's cloak, which the scalloped leaves resemble. Lady's Mantle growing zones vary by species; see the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Alchemilla alpina (Alpine Lady's Mantle)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones 1-9 and 14-17. Native to Greenland and northern Europe, this plant will form a mat of green leaves divided into 5-7 leaflets. It spreads by runners. 6 to 8 inch tall stems produce flowers in summertime. Great as a small-scale groundcover and for rock gardens.

Alchemilla diademata (Diadem Lady's Mantle)
This species is endemic to Lebanon, prized by the research community for its potential bioactive properties. It grows to between 4 and 6 inches tall, and flowers are yellow. This species is rare in cultivation, and grows in a specific humid sandstone environment.

Alchemilla ellenbeckii (Carpet Lady's Mantle, Creeping Lady's Mantle, Dwarf Lady's Mantle)
Grows best in USDA hardiness zones 6-9 or Sunset growing zones 14-24. This species is native to the mountains of East Africa. Grows to reach just 2 inches tall at maturity, and produces red creeping stems that root at nodes. Leaves are less than an inch wide, but the groundcover is attractive and forms a great carpet for shaded areas.

Alchemilla erythropoda (Dwarf Lady's Mantle)
This groundcover species of Lady's Mantle is native to Eastern Europe, and leaves develop a reddish tinge if the plant is grown in full sun exposure. Flowers are green-yellow and bloom in early summertime. Individual plants reach up to between 4 and 6 inches tall and 6-24 inches wide at maturity, forming clumps of foliage over time. Can be used as a small-space groundcover. This species is best in USDA zones 3-8.

Alchemilla mollis (Lady's Mantle, Garden Lady's-Mantle)
Native to Asia Minor, this groundcover grows well in USDA growing zones 3-8 or Sunset zones A2, A3, 1-9 and 14-24. This is the most commonly planted Lady's Mantle species, forming a 2 foot tall, 2.5 foot wide mound of scalloped leaves. Needs to be deadheaded soon after flowers expire to prevent self-sowing behavior, but otherwise is easy to care for. Popular varieties include 'Auslese' with bright green flowers, and 'Thriller', which has shiny grey-green leaves and golden flowers.

Alchemilla pectinata
Native to Mexico, this plant grows best in Sunset growing zones 14-24. It forms a a creeping, spreading groundcover plant with inch-wide green leaves and yellow-green flowers. Individual plants reach up to 4 inches tall.

Caring for alchemilla

Alchemilla plants can be grown from seed (either direct-sown or started indoors) or purchased from a reputable nursery. They do well in a space that receives full sun to partial shade. In warmer climates, provide shade in the afternoon when temperatures are at their peak (typically between 2 and 3 PM). Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 6.5 (slightly acidic). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants are considered to be relatively drought-tolerant, but will perform best when they get irrigated during extended periods of dry weather.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Alchemilla should be deadheaded regularly during the blooming season The entire plant will brown and its leaves will die as it enters dormancy in fall or early winter. Keep the area mulched over winter to protect roots from frost. Before new spring growth appears in springtime, take off the top of the plant, cutting it down to just below the lowest sets of leaves. Alchemilla can live for between 3-10 years in the landscape, depending on growing conditions. They will freely re-seed in the garden if they are not deadheaded regularly, and many species will spread over time to form clumps. Every 3-5 years, or more frequently if grown in a small container or cramped border, these plants will need to be divided. For instructions on how to divide Alchemilla plants, see the Propagation section below.

Growing Alchemilla in Containers
Alchemilla, or Lady's Mantle, can be grown in the ground or in containers on their own or as a filler plant in a living arrangement. Choose a container with adequate drainage holes that is at least 12 inches wide and deep. Fill with well-draining potting soil amended with compost, organic matter, and perlite. Plant and apply a layer of mulch to the top of soil to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Situate the container in a spot that gets full sun to partial shade; in warmer climates, make sure these plants get shade in the afternoon when temperatures are at their peak. Alchemilla grown in containers will need more frequent watering than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top two inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Every 3-5 years, divide plants to ensure ongoing health. For instructions on how to successfully divide Alchemilla plants, see the Propagation section below.

Propagation

Propagation of Alchemilla is done through seed or division of clumps. Lady's Mantle will self-seed freely if left to its own devices. To curb the spread of volunteer seedlings, it is important to remove the flower clusters before they release their seeds. Keep in mind that propagating by seed does not always guarantee a clone of the parent plant, so if you would like an exact replica, use the division method of propagation. To propagate your Alchemilla, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Alchemilla by Seed
The Alchemilla plant will readily self-sow if left to its own devices, so this type of propagation can be completed without much work on your part if you'd like to wait for volunteer seedlings to sprout. Then, all you need to do is transplant them to your desired placement in your garden. Propagating by seed can not guarantee a clone of the parent plant, so if you'd like an exact replica, choose to propagate your Achillea by division or volunteer instead. If you'd like to sow your seeds indoors in a more controlled way, follow the directions below.

Alchemilla seeds are not stored inside of each spent flower, they instead form in the calyxes. To harvest seeds in summertime, cut flower stalks off once they have faded and dried (see the image below of Alchemilla seed pods for a reference). Then, carefully remove the seeds from the pods and set them aside in a cool, dry, dark place in an envelope until you are ready to use them. Seeds are best sown in wintertime, about eight to ten weeks prior to when you'll plant your propagated Alchemilla outdoors in springtime.
Gather your materials. You'll need a pot or seed tray, potting soil, and a spray bottle filled with water.
Prepare your pot by filling it with potting soil, and water the soil to ensure that adequate drainage is occurring. Then, place your seed(s) on top, and cover with more potting soil. Water your seeds using the spray bottle so as not to disturb the topsoil, and place the pot or tray in an area that gets bright light and stays around a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Your seed(s) should begin to sprout in around three or four weeks. Keep soil moist, but not wet, during this time. Once the new plants have reached 4 inches in height, you can start to think about planting them in their forever home outdoors.
Ensure that the last frost of the season has passed, and then choose your planting site. It should receive filtered sunlight. have fast-draining soil, and be moist but not wet. Continue to provide regular water until the plants are well established.

Propagating Alchemilla by Division
Division is probably the easiest way to propagate these plants. The idea behind this method is that you are taking an existing clump of live plants and breaking it into smaller segments. This is something you will want to do whether or not you are looking to propagate your Alchemilla, as they need to be divided every so often to avoid overcrowding. To use this method, you will need a clean shovel, clean pruning saw (optional), extra pots if you are not going to immediately plant your divisions in the ground, and well-draining soil to fill the pots (again, if you will not be planting your divisions directly into the ground). To propagate your Alchemilla by division, follow the instructions below:

Identify the area of plants you're going to divide. Start by loosening the soil around the plant with your shovel, working your way inward to avoid causing damage to the roots. Once you've gotten your clump of Alchemilla out of the ground, lay it out on its side.
Divide the clump into segments, either with your shovel or with a pruning saw, as many as you'd like as long as there are at least three leafing stems per segment.
If you will be planting your Alchemilla in the ground, this is when you'll prepare your new hole. Dig a hole (large enough to accommodate the root ball of the clump you are planting) in the ground with your shovel in a sunny or partially shaded location with soil that is well-draining. Plant your division, and water generously.
If you are transporting your division elsewhere, or hanging on to it until you're ready to plant it, you'll need your pot filled with potting soil. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball of your division, and place your new plant in the soil. Water generously, ensuring that adequate drainage is occurring. Place the pot in a sunny or partly shaded location until you are ready to plant it in the ground.
If you're unsure about how to successfully divide your Lady's Mantle, see the division video in the Video section on this page.

Alchemilla seed pods ready to be opened.

Alchemilla seeds.

Problems and Pests

The Alchemilla plant is considered relatively pest and disease resistant, though the plant itself can cause issues in the garden. If not taken care of properly, Lady's Mantle can become invasive. Although the plant spreads slowly via underground rhizomes, a growth that is simple and easy to control, it also self-sows rapidly. If the plants are not dead-headed, the seeds will allow the plant to quickly overextend its boundaries. It is officially considered an invasive plant in parts of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.

Historically, these plants have been used medicinally to ease stomach pains and assist with the side effects of menses and they are also useful in making lotions and soaps. The pigment in the leaves has been used to dye wool.