Alchemilla vulgaris aka Lady's Mantle

Alchemilla vulgaris has the common name lady's-mantle. It grows in clumps and lives for more than two years. Its light green leaves form a low mound. This mound grows about 1 foot [0.30 metres] tall. It spreads to about 2.5 feet [0.76 metres] wide. The flower stems reach 1.5 feet [0.46 metres] high. The leaves thus stay low while the flowers rise above them. The Chicago Botanic Garden account does not give its native range.

The leaves have scalloped edges and hold beads of rain. The drops make the leaf tops shine and sparkle. The small flowers have the shape of a star. Their greenish yellow colour stands out against the light green leaves. Loose groups of flowers rise on stems above the leaf mound. The account says blooms last from late spring into early summer. Its bloom chart also gives May through August. That span is longer than the one in its text. The source does not describe the fruit or seeds.

The account says to grow it in average soil. The soil should drain well but stay moist. Both needs matter when you choose a place to plant. The text says full sun through partial shade will suit it. It calls for afternoon shade for plants in full sun. A separate list of light needs gives partial and full shade. A spot with some shade fits both sets of advice. The garden lists this species for USDA hardiness zones 3–7.

Lady's-mantle suits beds and the front of a border. Its low leaves and tall flowers give two height levels. The clump needs more space across than the leaves need upward. Rain caught on the leaves adds interest when there are no blooms. The garden says the plant draws birds and butterflies. It also lists the plant as deer resistant. This does not mean deer will never browse it.

The main concern in this account is spread by seed. Where sites suit them, plants can shed seeds that sprout. At times, too many new plants may grow this way. Remove dead blooms to stop this spread by seed. This helps where new plants would crowd a planned border. The source gives no facts on specific pests or diseases. It gives no evidence on parts to eat or on toxicity.