Lady's Mantle
Alchemilla mollis
Quick Care Guide
Prune: Cut back after flowering to maintain shape
Sunlight: Prefers partial to full sun
Water: Moderate watering; keep soil consistently moist but well-drained
Fertilize: Light feeding in early spring, if needed
Leaves: Soft, rounded, deep green leaves with a slight frosty appearance
Flowers: Small, yellow-green clusters in late spring to early summer
Pruning
Lady's Mantle benefits from light pruning after it finishes flowering in late spring to early summer. Cutting back the spent flowers will help the plant maintain a tidy appearance. You can also trim back any dead or damaged stems throughout the growing season. Some gardeners also like to cut the plant back in the fall to keep the garden neat.
Watering
Lady's Mantle prefers consistently moist soil but needs good drainage to prevent waterlogging. Water the plant regularly during dry spells, but make sure the soil doesn’t stay soggy. It’s a good idea to water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage.
Leaves
The leaves of Lady's Mantle are soft, rounded, and deeply lobed, with a velvety, almost frosted texture. They catch water droplets in the morning, giving the plant a dewy, magical appearance. These leaves are a great addition to shaded or cool areas in the garden and add texture to plantings.
Sunlight
Lady's Mantle thrives in partial to full sun. It can tolerate some shade, but it will produce fewer flowers and its growth might be less vigorous. A location with morning sun and afternoon shade works especially well.
Fertilization
Lady's Mantle doesn’t require heavy feeding. If your soil is particularly poor, you can add a light application of a balanced fertilizer in early spring, but avoid over-fertilizing as this can lead to excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers.
Flowers
Lady's Mantle produces small, delicate clusters of yellow-green flowers that appear in late spring to early summer. The flowers are not as showy as those of some other perennials, but they are an excellent choice for adding subtle color and texture. The plant’s main attraction is its foliage, but the blooms attract beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies.