Alchemilla mollis

Alchemilla mollis (14/05/2011, Paris, France)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist/ well drained

Flowering period: Late spring to early autumn.

Eventual Height: 40cm

Eventual Spread: 40cm

Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Rosaceae

Alchemilla mollis is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its mid green leaves are  rounded, shallowly lobed with serrate margins, up to 8cm long and 8cm broad. Its yellow/ green flowers are borne in cymes above its leaves.

Alchemilla mollis flower (14/05/2011, Paris, France)

Alchemilla mollis, commonly known as Lady’s Mantle, is native to southern Europe. The repellent nature of the foliage creates glistening beads of water that they believed was the purest form of water and used it in their never ending quest to turn base metals into gold.

The etymology of the binomial name Alchemilla is from the Arabic name for this plant alkemelych, in reference to this plant being used by alchemists. Mollis is from the Latin meaning ‘soft’.

The landscape architect may find Alchemilla mollis useful as an effective, attractive ground cover. This plant is drought tolerant once established.

Alchemilla mollis Leaf (15/08/2015, Walworth, London)

Ecologically,  Alchemilla mollis is valuable as it attracts bees and other nectar loving insects during it flowering period.

The Royal Horticultural Society have given Alchemilla mollis their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Alchemilla mollis prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Alchemilla mollis requires little maintenance. It may be cut back to encourage new growth once the foliage becomes untidy, from late summer onwards.