Alchemilla mollis

Alchemilla mollis: Chartreuse Froth and Rain-Catching Leaves

Scalloped leaves that catch raindrops and hold them like tiny diamonds, plus airy sprays of chartreuse froth. Lady's Mantle is basically jewellery for the edge of the path. ACCESSORIZE ACCORDINGLY.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Alchemilla mollis
• Common Name: Lady's Mantle
• Height: 30–45 cm (1–1.5 ft)
• Spread: 45–60 cm (1.5–2 ft)
• Flowers: Airy sprays of tiny, star-shaped, yellow-green flowers held above the leaves
• Bloom Time: Early to midsummer (June to August)
• Foliage: Light green, rounded, softly hairy leaves with pleated, scalloped edges that catch water droplets
• Features: Good cut flower, RHS Award of Garden Merit

Where to Plant: It's one of the best edging plants there is. Let it spill over the front of a border, soften a path or a set of steps, or fill gaps between pavers. It also makes a tidy groundcover in a part-shade spot.

Companion Plants: Iris 'Butter and Sugar' adds upright leaves and soft two-tone flowers in May and June, just before the lady's mantle opens. Campanula 'Blue Magic'® spills along the front with blue bells from June to September. Echinops ritro stands behind at 90 to 120 cm with round blue heads from July to September. All three like full sun or partial sun.

Plant Care: Plant in sun to part shade in average, moist but well-drained soil. It handles clay. In hot, dry spots give it afternoon shade, because it doesn't like to dry out completely. Water during dry spells. It self-seeds freely. To stop that, and to refresh the plant, shear the flowers and tired leaves back after blooming. A new flush of clean leaves comes up within a few weeks. Divide in spring or early fall if a clump gets too big. It has very few pest problems.

History: Alchemilla mollis is native to the mountains of eastern Europe and western Asia, including the Carpathians and the Caucasus. Its genus name comes from alchemy, since alchemists once prized the water drops collected on its leaves, and it holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Final Thoughts: Use it to soften a border, cut it for bouquets and watch every rain shower turn it into a show. Deer move along. THE DEW IS DOING THE MOST.