Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Alchemilla mollis
Lady's Mantle
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Height
- 1 to 2 feet
- Width
- 1 to 2 feet
- Flower color
- Chartreuse to yellow-green
- Foliage color
- Soft, velvety green with scalloped edges
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate; prefers well-drained soil
- Maintenance
- Low; cut back after flowering to promote fresh growth
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 3 to 8
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees and butterflies
About this plant
Alchemilla mollis, commonly known as lady's mantle, is a lovely perennial admired for its soft, velvety, scalloped leaves and delicate, chartreuse flowers. Blooming in late spring to early summer, it produces frothy clusters of tiny, star-shaped, yellow-green flowers that float above the foliage. The leaves are especially notable for their ability to catch and hold dewdrops, which adds a shimmering effect in the morning light.
Native to the cool, temperate regions of Eastern Europe, Alchemilla mollis is beloved for its versatility and informal beauty. It is often used in cottage gardens, borders, and as a ground cover, where its subtle flowers and attractive foliage provide texture and contrast, softening the edges of pathways or mixed plantings.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Daylilies · Japanese anemones · Bleeding hearts · Catmint · Heucheras · Hellebores
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. It takes sun or light shade, which makes it useful along the changing light of a bed edge or a partly shaded border.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
