How to Grow Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla)

Lady's mantle has felted, round green leaves with toothed edges that catch dew drops, and sprays of tiny yellow-green flowers. This perennial grows to 2 feet high and wide.

Things You'll Need

• Bypass Pruners
• Compost Makers
• Fertilizers
• Hand Cultivators
• Mulch
• Plants
• Seeds

Instructions

Choosing Lady's Mantle

1. Look for lady's mantle in nurseries in spring and summer.

2. Buy lady's mantle in 4-inch to one-gallon containers.

3. Choose plants that have new leaves growing out from the center.

Planting Lady's Mantle

1. Plant lady's mantle in sun or part shade.

2. Add a light application of organic fertilizer to the planting hole.

3. Set plants 18 inches apart.

4. Place plants no deeper than they were growing in the containers.

5. Mulch around but not on top of the plant with 3 inches of organic compost.

6. Water well until the soil is completely moist.

Caring for Lady's Mantle

1. Apply a light application of organic fertilizer to the top of the soil in early spring; follow directions on the package.

2. Mulch around but not on top of the plant with 3 inches of organic compost in early spring.

3. Do not water - lady's mantle is tolerant of dry soil in summer.

4. Cut off the flowering stems at their base when they are finished using bypass pruners.

5. Trim off old leaves in early spring using scissors.

6. Let the flowers go to seed, and you will get new seedlings in the soil below.