Lady's mantle Alchemilla mollis
Lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis) is a deciduous perennial groundcover in the Rosaceae family, native to Carpathians, Balkans and Turkey. It grows 40–60 cm (16–24 in) tall and 50–75 cm (20–30 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Lady's mantle in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Lady's mantle at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 50–75 cm (20–30 in) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Carpathians, Balkans and Turkey |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇴 Norway |
Is Lady's mantle toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Used in herbal teas; pet effects are not documented in ASPCA lists.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Lady's mantle
Good neighbours
- good With Garlic chives: Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal. Evidence D
Questions about Lady's mantle
- How far apart should I plant Lady's mantle?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–75 cm (20–30 in).
- Does Lady's mantle need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Lady's mantle need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Lady's mantle?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Lady's mantle flower?
- From about June for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Lady's mantle poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. Used in herbal teas; pet effects are not documented in ASPCA lists.
- What grows well with Lady's mantle?
- Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Self-seeds prolifically; cut back after flowering to limit spread and refresh leaves.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.
- Garden rose Rosa x hybrida
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata