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Garden Lady's-mantle

Alchemilla mollis

Alchemilla mollis Alchemilla mollis
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Rosales
Family:
Rosaceae (Rose)
Also in this family:
Acute Leaf-lobed Lady's-mantle, Alpine Cinquefoil, Alpine Lady's-mantle, Ampfield Cotoneaster, Arran Service Tree, Arran Whitebeam, Barren Strawberry, Bastard Agrimony, Bastard Service Tree, Bearberry Cotoneaster, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn, Bloody Whitebeam, Bramble, Bristol Whitebeam, Broad-leaved Whitebeam, Broadtooth Lady's-mantle, Bronze Pirri-pirri-bur, Bullace Plum, Bullate Cotoneaster, Burnet Rose, Catacol Whitebeam, Caucasian Lady's-mantle, Cheddar Whitebeam, Cherry Laurel, Cherry Plum, Chinese Photinia, Cloudberry, Clustered Lady's-mantle, Common Agrimony, Common Hawthorn, Common Lady's-mantle, Common Medlar, Common Ninebark, Common Whitebeam, Crab Apple, Creeping Chinese Bramble, Creeping Cinquefoil, Crimean Lady's-mantle, Cultivated Apple, Cultivated Pear, Cut-leaved Blackberry, Damson, Devon Whitebeam, Dewberry, Diel's Cotoneaster, Dog Rose, Doward Whitebeam, Dropwort, Elm-leaved Bramble, English Whitebeam, Entire-leaved Cotoneaster, False Salmonberry, Field Rose, Firethorn, Fodder Burnet, Fragrant Agrimony, Franchet's Cotoneaster, Garden Strawberry, Giant Meadowsweet, Glaucous Dog Rose, Goatsbeard Spiraea, Gough's Rock Whitebeam, Great Burnet, Greengage Plum, Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Hairless Lady's-mantle, Hairy Lady's-mantle, Hautbois Strawberry, Himalayan Blackberry, Himalayan Cotoneaster, Himalayan Whitebeam, Hoary Cinquefoil, Hollyberry Cotoneaster, Hupeh Rowan, Hybrid Cinquefoil, Hybrid Geum, Irish Whitebeam, Japanese Cherry, Japanese Quince, Japanese Rose, Jew's Mallow, Juneberry, Lancaster Whitebeam, Late Cotoneaster, Least Lady's-mantle, Least Whitebeam, Leigh Woods Whitebeam, Ley's Whitebeam, Liljefor's Whitebeam, Littleleaf Cotoneaster, Llangollen Whitebeam, Llanthony Whitebeam, Lleyn Cotoneaster, Loganberry, Many-flowered Rose, Margaret's Whitebeam, Marsh Cinquefoil, Meadowsweet, Midland Hawthorn, Mougeot's Whitebeam, Mountain Ash, Mountain Avens, Mountain Sibbaldia, Moupin's Cotoneaster, No Parking Whitebeam, Ocean Spray, Orange Whitebeam, Pale Bridewort, Pale Lady's-mantle, Parsley Piert, Pirri-pirri-bur, Plymouth Pear, Portuguese Laurel, Purple-flowered Raspberry, Quince, Raspberry, Rock Cinquefoil, Rock Lady's-mantle, Rock Whitebeam, Round-leaved Dog Rose, Round-leaved Whitebeam, Rum Cherry, Russian Cinquefoil, Salad Burnet, Sargent's Rowan, Scannell's Whitebeam, Service Tree, Sharp-toothed Whitebeam, Sherard's Downy Rose, Shining Lady's-mantle, Ship Rock Whitebeam, Short-styled Rose, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Silver Lady's-mantle, Silverweed, Slender Parsley Piert, Slender-spined Bramble, Small-flowered Sweetbriar, Small-leaved Sweetbriar, Soft Downy Rose, Somerset Whitebeam, Sorbaria, Sour Cherry, Southern Downy Rose, Southern Lady's-mantle, Spineless Acaena, Spring Cinquefoil, St. Lucie's Cherry, Steeplebush, Stern's Cotoneaster, Stirton's Whitebeam, Stone Bramble, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Swedish Service Tree, Swedish Whitebeam, Sweet Briar, Symond's Yat Whitebeam, Tengyueh Cotoneaster, Thimbleberry, Thin-leaved Whitebeam, Tibetan Cotoneaster, Tormentil, Trailing Tormentil, Tree Cotoneaster, Trefoil Cinquefoil, Twin-cliffs Whitebeam, Two-spined Acaena, Wall Cotoneaster, Water Avens, Waterer's Cotoneaster, Waxy Lady's-mantle, Welsh Cotoneaster, Welsh Whitebeam, White Burnet, White's Whitebeam, White-stemmed Bramble, Wild Cherry, Wild Pear, Wild Plum, Wild Service Tree, Wild Strawberry, Willmott's Whitebeam, Willow-leaved Bridewort, Willow-leaved Cotoneaster, Wineberry, Wood Avens, Wye Whitebeam, Yellow-flowered Strawberry
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
45 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Gardens, meadows, riverbanks, riversides, roadsides, wasteland, waterside, woodland.

Flower:
֍
Yellow, no petals
 
Tiny petalless flowers, yellowish-green. Each flower measures anything up to 3mm across.
Fruit:
The fruit is a small and insignificant, dry achene. Garden Lady's-mantle quickly becomes invasive with it's strong ability to self-seed. The seeds ripen from August to October.
Leaves:
The leaves are scallop-shaped with serrated margins. They are palmately veined and densely hairy on both sides. Up to 14cm in diameter. The stipules are leaf-like and fused together. Common throughout the British Isles. Perennial.
Other Names:
Lady's-mantle, Soft Lady's-mantle.
Frequency (UK):
Abundant  

Similar Species

Caucasian Lady's-mantle

Common Lady's-mantle
Common Lady's-mantle

Crimean Lady's-mantle

Other Information

Summary

Alchemilla mollis, commonly known as soft lady's mantle, is a perennial herb native to Europe and Asia. It is a low-growing plant that typically reaches a height of 20-45 cm and spreads through its creeping rhizomes. The leaves are basal, lobed, and have a scalloped margin, typically reaching 5-15 cm (2-6 inches) long. The flowers are small, yellow-green, and arranged in large clusters on tall stems, typically blooming from June to September. The flowers are smaller and less numerous than Alchemilla vulgaris. It prefers moist, well-drained soils in partial shade, but it can tolerate a wide range of soil and light conditions. It is commonly found in woodlands, meadows, and along streams. It is similar in appearance to Alchemilla vulgaris, but it has a more delicate and less robust appearance.

Blog

Garden Lady's-mantle, scientifically known as Alchemilla mollis, is a popular ornamental plant that is cherished for its attractive foliage, versatility, and easy-care nature. This herbaceous perennial is native to Europe and can be found growing in a wide range of habitats, from mountain meadows to city gardens.

Description and Appearance

Garden Lady's-mantle is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial that typically grows to a height of about 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches) and a spread of 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches). It has rounded, lobed, and deeply divided leaves that are soft to the touch, bright green in color, and covered in fine hairs, which give them a velvety appearance. These leaves can hold droplets of water on their surface after a rainfall or early morning dew, making them particularly attractive. In summer, Garden Lady's-mantle produces clusters of small, yellow-green flowers that are not particularly showy but are still charming.

Cultivation and Care

Garden Lady's-mantle is a relatively low-maintenance plant that is easy to grow in a wide range of soils, including clay, loam, and sandy soils, as long as they are well-draining. It prefers a partially shaded position, but it can tolerate full sun if the soil remains consistently moist. It is also drought tolerant once established. Garden Lady's-mantle can be propagated by division in spring or autumn, and it can self-seed prolifically.

Uses and Benefits

Garden Lady's-mantle is an excellent plant for a range of garden situations, including borders, rock gardens, and containers. Its attractive foliage makes it an ideal choice for creating contrast and texture in planting schemes. Garden Lady's-mantle is also a useful plant for creating groundcover, as it forms dense mats that suppress weeds. Furthermore, the leaves of Garden Lady's-mantle have been used in herbal medicine for centuries for their astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. They were traditionally used to treat wounds and skin irritations.

In conclusion, Garden Lady's-mantle is a versatile and attractive plant that is well-suited to a wide range of garden situations. Its soft, velvety foliage and delicate flowers make it a charming addition to any planting scheme, while its easy-care nature and usefulness in herbal medicine make it a practical choice for gardeners looking for both beauty and function.

Additional Facts about Garden Lady's-mantle

Here are some additional details about Garden Lady's-mantle that may be of interest:

  1. Historical Uses: The name "Alchemilla" comes from the Arabic word "al-kemelych," meaning "the alchemist," as the plant was thought to have magical properties by medieval alchemists. It was believed that the droplets of water that collect on the leaves of Garden Lady's-mantle contained mystical properties, and the plant was used in alchemy as a symbol of transformation and change.

  2. Wildlife Attraction: Although the flowers of Garden Lady's-mantle are not particularly showy, they are attractive to bees and other pollinators, making it a valuable plant for wildlife gardens. Additionally, the dense mats of foliage provide habitat for small mammals, such as voles and shrews, which can help to control pests in the garden.

  3. Companion Planting: Garden Lady's-mantle is a useful companion plant for a range of other species, including roses, delphiniums, and peonies. It has a shallow root system that doesn't compete with other plants for nutrients, and its dense mats of foliage can help to keep the soil moist and cool, which can benefit neighboring plants.

  4. Cultivar Variations: There are several cultivars of Garden Lady's-mantle available, including 'Thriller,' which has larger, more deeply cut leaves than the species, and 'Auslese,' which has bright green foliage and a more compact growth habit. These cultivars can be used to add variety and interest to planting schemes.

In conclusion, Garden Lady's-mantle is a versatile and valuable plant that has been appreciated for its beauty and usefulness for centuries. Whether grown for its attractive foliage, wildlife value, or medicinal properties, it is a plant that deserves a place in any garden.

And some more facts...

Here are some additional facts about Garden Lady's-mantle that may be of interest:

  1. Medicinal Uses: Garden Lady's-mantle has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Europe. The leaves of the plant contain tannins, which have astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. They have been used to treat a range of ailments, including diarrhea, wounds, and skin irritations. The leaves have also been used to make a tea that is said to help regulate menstrual cycles and relieve menstrual cramps.

  2. Symbolism: In addition to its use in alchemy, Garden Lady's-mantle has also been associated with a range of other symbolic meanings. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the plant had the power to protect against witchcraft, and it was often hung above doors and windows for this purpose. In more recent times, it has been associated with femininity and motherhood, and has been used in bridal bouquets and other wedding decorations.

  3. Drought Tolerance: Garden Lady's-mantle is a relatively drought-tolerant plant once established, which makes it a good choice for gardens in areas with low rainfall. Its ability to retain moisture on its leaves after rainfall also means that it can help to conserve water in the garden by reducing the need for irrigation.

  4. Culinary Uses: While Garden Lady's-mantle is not commonly used in cooking, the young leaves can be used in salads or as a garnish. They have a slightly bitter, nutty flavor that is similar to that of sorrel or spinach. However, it is important to note that the leaves should be harvested in moderation, as they contain oxalic acid, which can be harmful in large quantities.

In conclusion, Garden Lady's-mantle is a fascinating and versatile plant that has a range of uses and meanings. Whether appreciated for its beauty, usefulness, or symbolism, it is a plant that is sure to captivate and enchant gardeners and nature lovers alike.