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Introducing...
Alchemilla
Common name: Lady’s mantle
Forming mounds of scalloped leaves, topped with a froth of acid-green flowers in mid-summer, these low-maintenance ground-cover plants thrive in sun or partial shade. There are several species, but the most popular – and deservedly so – is Alchemilla mollis. A staple of the cottage-style gardens, alchemilla is also a classic cut-flower companion to roses and sweet peas.
Looks
Alchemillas produce frothy billows of greeny-yellow flowers in summer, above compact mounds of rounded leaves. These catch raindrops, making them appear jewelled after a downpour. Alchemillas are herbaceous perennials, so they die down in autumn but reappear in spring.
Likes
Alchemillas are hardy, easy-going plants that are happy in sun or partial shade, in most soil types.
Dislikes
They dislike waterlogged or very dry conditions, prefering slightly moist but free-draining soil.
Did you know?
Alchemillas are unaffected by most pests – slug and snails avoid their downy leaves, and even rabbits and deer usually turn up their noses at them. So alchemillas are a great choice if your garden is badly affected by any of these creatures.
Growing guide
![How to grow alchemillas](/getmedia/ffbe9aad-be12-4083-ab55-bbfd6fcd2114/growing-guide-940x627.jpg?width=940&height=627&ext=.jpg)
How to grow alchemillas
All the information you’ll need to know to grow and care for alchemillas in your garden.
Alchemilla we recommend
Alchemilla epipsila
sparsely-foliated Lady's mantle
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Alchemilla erythropoda
dwarf lady's mantle
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Alchemilla epipsila
sparsely-foliated Lady's mantle
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Alchemilla erythropoda
dwarf lady's mantle
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Useful advice
![](/getmedia/38edeaba-3002-4890-aa4f-d1590e99beb8/RHS_PUB0003009_61081.jpg?width=288&height=432&ext=.jpg)
Cut flowers: growing and selection
Perennial borders: choosing plants
Perennials: cutting back
Perennials: planting
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.