Garden lady’s-mantle (Alchemilla mollis, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 33: 347 (1934))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: (Buser) Rothm.

Bibliography: Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 33: 347 (1934)

Year: 1934

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Alchemilla

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Romania to Caucasus

Description

Garden lady’s-mantle, scientifically named Alchemilla mollis, is a captivating perennial that belongs to the Rosaceae family. Renowned for its ornamental appeal, this plant is cherished by gardeners and landscape designers alike.

With its origins traced from Romania to the Caucasus, the Garden lady’s-mantle is well adapted to varied climates and soils, making it a versatile addition to gardens around the world. Its lush, fan-shaped foliage features delicately toothed edges and a soft, velvety texture that adds a unique aesthetic to any garden setting.

One of the most striking characteristics of Alchemilla mollis is its ability to capture and hold dew drops or rainwater on its leaves, which sparkle like diamonds in the morning light. This feature not only enhances its visual allure but also reflects the plant’s common name, suggesting a mystical, protective ‘mantle’ for the garden.

Typically blooming in early summer, the Garden lady’s-mantle produces clusters of small, chartreuse flowers that form airy, cloud-like blooms. These flowers add a bright splash of color and contrast beautifully with neighboring plants. They are also known to attract various pollinators, supporting a healthy garden ecosystem.

Garden lady’s-mantle is easy to grow and maintain. It thrives in both full sun and partial shade and is tolerant of a range of soil types, provided they are well-draining. Regular watering and occasional fertilization will support its vigorous growth, although it is quite resilient and drought-tolerant once established.

Versatile in its use, Alchemilla mollis makes an excellent ground cover, edging plant, or filler for borders and mixed beds. Its foliage remains attractive throughout most of the growing season, providing consistent texture and interest even when not in bloom.

Overall, Garden lady’s-mantle is a delightful plant, combining easy maintenance with beauty and versatility. Its enchanting appearance and robust nature make it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.

Reference
Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 33: 347 (1934), authored by (Buser) Rothm.

Common Names

Fra: alchémille, alchémille molle
Nld: fraaie vrouwenmantel
Eng: garden lady’s-mantle, lady’s-mantle, lady’s mantle, soft lady’s mantle, garden lady’s mantle
Dan: lådden løvefod
Deu: weicher frauenmantel
Ces: alchemilka makká, kontryhel měkký
Swe: jättedaggkåpa, jättipoimulehti
Fin: jättipoimulehti
Nno: praktmarikåpe
Nob: praktmarikåpe
En: Garden lady’s-mantle, Lady’s-mantle, Lady’s mantle, Soft lady’s mantle, Garden lady’s mantle
Ar: برقع السيدة
Bg: Меколистно шапиче
Zh: 柔毛斗蓬草
Cs: Kontryhel měkký, Alchemilka makká
Da: Lådden løvefod
Nl: Fraaie vrouwenmantel
Fi: Jättipoimulehti
Fr: Alchémille molle, Alchémille à poils mous, Alchémille
De: Samt-Frauenmantel, Weicher Frauenmantel
Gv: Cappan y druight
Nb: Praktmarikåpe
Nn: Praktmarikåpe
Pl: Przywrotnik miękki
Ru: Манжетка мягкая
Sk: Alchemilka mäkká
Sv: Jättedaggkåpa, Jättipoimulehti
Zh-tw: 柔毛斗蓬草
Cy: Mantell-Fair y gerddi

Synonyms

• Alchemilla acutiloba (Steven)
• Alchemilla vulgaris subsp. acutiloba (Nyman)
• Alchemilla vulgaris var. major (Boiss. & Buhse)
• Alchemilla acutiloba var. mollis (Buser)
• Potentilla alchemollis (Christenh. & Väre)
• Alchemilla acutiloba subsp. mollis ((Buser) Buser)
• Alchemilla mollis f. catillaris ((Buser) Rothm.)
• Alchemilla mollis f. aprica (Rothm.)
• Alchemilla acutiloba subsp. catillaris (Buser)

Distribution

• Bulgaria (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Iceland (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2019 by André Hyvrier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2022 by Wolfgang Klesper (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 29, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 2, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Nov 10, 2019 by sjaak blok (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2015 by EOL − trp (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 18, 2021 by Danjal Ja (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2022 by Kristoff Röhrs (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 3, 2022 by Else Nolden (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2009 by Alain Lagrave (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Go Glaso (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2021 by Else Nolden (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 1, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2020 by Simon der Schmied (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2019 by Fred Triep (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2021 by schneehörnchen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2020 by etelka kancar (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 6, 2020 by Bernd Probst (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 31, 2021 by John Thompson (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2021 by chiju (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Tim Vincent (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:720776-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3028528)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Alchemilla mollis (Buser) Rothm.)

Specifications

Growth