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Alchemilla

Alchemilla mollis (30)ct Flat

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Alchemilla

Alchemilla mollis (30)ct Flat

Alchemilla mollis (30)ct Flat Common Name: Lady's Mantle Foliage is a soft grey-green and nearly round with deep lobes. Soft, velvety leaves are up to 6-inches across with serrated edges, giving...

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Alchemilla‘s Zone, Characteristics and How to Use In The Landscape

Alchemilla, commonly known as Lady's Mantle, is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. It is a popular choice for gardeners due to its attractive foliage and low-maintenance requirements.

Zones

Alchemilla thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7. This means it can withstand winter temperatures as low as -40°F (-40°C) to 0°F (-18°C). If you live outside these zones, you can still grow Lady's Mantle in containers and bring them indoors during the winter.

Characteristics

Foliage: The most striking feature of Lady's Mantle is its lobed, scalloped, light green to olive green leaves. The leaves are covered in soft hairs and collect morning dew, creating a glistening effect.
Flowers: In late spring and early summer, Lady's Mantle produces sprays of small, chartreuse-colored flowers. The flowers are not very showy but add a delicate touch to the plant.
Growth Habit: Lady's Mantle forms a low-growing mound, typically reaching 12-18 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide.
Deer and Rabbit Resistant: Deer and rabbits tend to avoid Lady's Mantle due to the fuzzy texture of the leaves.

How to Use in the Landscape

Lady's Mantle is a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of ways in the landscape. Here are a few ideas:

Groundcover: Lady's Mantle is a great choice for groundcover, as it helps to suppress weeds and prevent erosion.
Border Planting: The low-growing habit and attractive foliage of Lady's Mantle make it a perfect addition to the front of flower beds or borders.
Cottage Gardens: Lady's Mantle is a classic cottage garden plant. Its soft, romantic look complements other cottage garden favorites such as roses, lavender, and hollyhocks.
Containers: Lady's Mantle can be grown in containers on patios, decks, or balconies.

Planting and Care

Lady's Mantle is a relatively easy plant to grow. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Once established, Lady's Mantle is drought tolerant and requires minimal care.

With its beautiful foliage, low-maintenance requirements, and versatility, Lady's Mantle is a valuable addition to any garden.

Alchemilla Care Guide: Spacing, Water, Sunlight, Soil, and More

Alchemilla, or Lady's Mantle, is a beloved perennial for its charming, textured leaves and easy-going nature. Here is a breakdown of its specific needs to ensure it flourishes in your garden:

Spacing:

Spacing depends on the variety: Alchemilla comes in various sizes. For larger varieties like Alchemilla mollis reaching twenty-four inches wide, space them 18-24 inches apart. Smaller alpine varieties like Alchemilla alpina stay around twelve inches wide, so space them 12-15 inches apart.

Watering:

Water regularly when establishing: Newly planted Alchemilla needs consistent watering, especially during the first summer, to help it develop a strong root system.
Established plants are drought-tolerant: Once your Lady's Mantle is mature, it can handle drier conditions. Water deeply during extended dry spells or if the leaves start to wilt, particularly in full sun locations.
Avoid soggy soil: Alchemilla dislikes constantly wet feet. Ensure your soil drains well to prevent root rot.

Sunlight:

Adaptable to sun and shade: Alchemilla is a flexible plant. It thrives in full sun in cooler zones (3-6) and the Pacific Northwest. In hotter regions (zones 7 and above), partial shade is preferable to prevent scorching of the leaves.

Soil:

Rich and well-drained is key: Provide Alchemilla with fertile soil that allows excess water to drain freely. Amending your planting area with compost or other organic matter can improve drainage and provide nutrients.
Neutral pH is ideal: While Alchemilla can tolerate a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH 5.5 to 7.5), a neutral pH (around 7.0) is optimal.

Additional Care Tips:

Deadheading (optional): You can deadhead the flowers after blooming to encourage bushier growth and prevent unwanted self-seeding if you do not want Alchemilla popping up in new places.
Cutting back: For a tidier appearance, lightly prune your Lady's Mantle in late fall or early spring by removing spent flower stalks and any dead or damaged leaves.
Minimal pest and disease problems: Alchemilla is generally resistant to pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance addition to your garden.

By following these guidelines, your Alchemilla will reward you with its beautiful, textured foliage and delicate blooms for years to come.

Alchemilla’s Flower Colors, Forms, Bloom Time and Pollinators

While Alchemilla might not be known for showy flowers, their unique blooms and long bloom time add a subtle charm to the garden. Here is a breakdown of its floral characteristics:

Flower Colors:

Limited color palette: Unlike many flowering plants, Alchemilla's flowers come in a restricted range of colors.
Chartreuse reigns supreme: The vast majority of Alchemilla varieties produce tiny, star-shaped flowers in shades of chartreuse, a greenish-yellow hue.

Flower Forms:

Delicate and airy: Alchemilla's flowers are not large or showy. Instead, they are small and clustered together in loose sprays or cymes. This creates a soft, airy effect that complements the textured foliage.

Bloom Time:

Long-lasting display: One of the best things about Alchemilla's flowers is their extended bloom time. They typically begin blooming in late spring or early summer and continue to flower throughout the summer, often lasting until mid-fall.

Pollinators:

Welcoming to beneficial insects: Despite their understated appearance, Alchemilla's flowers attract beneficial pollinators like hoverflies, bees, and small wasps. These tiny insects are drawn to the nectar produced by the flowers, aiding in pollination.

Interesting Fact: Alchemilla flowers are not the showy part of the plant. The true stars are the bracts, small modified leaves that surround the flowers and give the flower clusters their airy, wispy appearance. These bracts often change color from green to yellow as the flowers mature, adding another layer of interest to the blooms.

Alchemilla’s Latin Name Pronunciation, Common Names and Botanical Names

Alchemilla, the beloved Lady's Mantle, boasts a rich history reflected in its various names. Let us delve into the pronunciation, common names, and botanical names associated with this charming plant.

Latin Name Pronunciation:

Alchemilla: (al-ke-MIL-la)
- "al-" - pronounced like the "al-" in "alcohol"
- "che-" - pronounced like the "che" in "chemistry"
- "mil-" - pronounced like the "mil-" in "milk"
- "la" - pronounced like the "la" in "lady"

Common Names:

Lady's Mantle: This widely used common name refers to the large, scalloped leaves that resemble a lady's cloak.
Lion's Foot: This name is inspired by the shape of the leaves, which some find reminiscent of a lion's paw.
Dewcup: This name alludes to the way the leaves collect morning dew, creating glistening droplets on their surface.
Alchemist's Wort: This historical name hints at a past association with alchemy, though the exact connection remains unclear.

Botanical Names:

Alchemilla (genus): This is the official genus name assigned to Lady's Mantle plants by taxonomists.
Alchemilla [species epithet]: Many Alchemilla species exist, each with a unique epithet following the genus name. For example, Alchemilla mollis (common Lady's Mantle) or Alchemilla alpina (alpine Lady's Mantle).

By understanding these names, you can appreciate the different aspects of Alchemilla, from its scientific classification to its historical significance and visual characteristics.

Alchemilla’s Critter, Pest and Disease Resistance

Alchemilla is generally considered a low-maintenance plant thanks to its inherent resistance to critters, pests, and diseases. Here is a closer look at its defense mechanisms:

Critter Resistance:

Deer and Rabbit Unwanted: The fuzzy texture and mildly bitter taste of Alchemilla leaves deter deer and rabbits from browsing. This makes it a valuable addition to gardens vulnerable to these herbivores.

Pest Resistance:

Relatively Pest-Free: Alchemilla is not particularly attractive to most common garden pests. However, in rare cases:
- Slugs and Snails: These moisture-loving creatures can be a nuisance, especially in damp and shady locations. You can use traps, barriers, or approved molluscicide baits to control them.

Disease Resistance:

A Tough Customer: Alchemilla is naturally resistant to most diseases that plague other garden plants. However, under very specific conditions:
- Powdery Mildew: This fungal disease can occasionally affect Alchemilla, particularly in areas with poor air circulation and high humidity. Good air circulation and watering at the base of the plant instead of overhead can help prevent powdery mildew.
- Root Rot: Overly wet soil conditions can lead to root rot. Ensure your Alchemilla is planted in well-draining soil to avoid this issue.

Overall:

While not entirely invincible, Alchemilla's natural defenses make it a resilient and low-maintenance addition to your garden. With proper care and attention to basic growing conditions, you can minimize the risk of critter, pest, and disease problems.

Planting Bare Root Alchemilla

Planting bare-root Alchemilla is a straightforward process, especially if you follow these steps during the ideal planting window:

Timing:

Fall or Spring is Best: The ideal time to plant bare-root Alchemilla is either in fall (especially in drier regions) or spring (after the danger of frost has passed). This allows the plant to establish its root system before facing the stresses of summer heat or winter cold.

Planting Process:

Prepare the Planting Hole: Choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade, depending on your climate (full sun in cooler zones, partial shade in hotter zones). Dig a hole slightly larger than the root spread of your Alchemilla.
Amend the Soil (Optional): If your soil is heavy clay or very sandy, consider amending the planting hole with some compost or organic matter to improve drainage and provide nutrients.
Position the Alchemilla: Carefully place the Alchemilla in the hole, ensuring the crown (the area where the roots meet the stem) sits at ground level. Spread the roots out gently.
Backfill and Water: Fill the hole with soil, gently tamping it down to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.

Aftercare:

Water Regularly: Especially during the first few weeks after planting, water your Alchemilla regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Mulch (Optional): Applying a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant can help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Deadheading (Optional): Once the flowers begin to fade, you can deadhead them to encourage bushier growth and prevent unwanted self-seeding.
Minimal Fertilizer Needed: Established Alchemilla generally does not require additional fertilizer. However, if your soil is poor, you can provide a light feeding of a balanced fertilizer in early spring.

Additional Tips for Bare-Root Alchemilla:

Inspect the Roots: Before planting, gently inspect the bare roots of your Alchemilla. Prune away any damaged or broken roots.
Soak the Roots (Optional): Some gardeners recommend soaking bare-root plants in water for a few hours before planting to help them rehydrate.

By following these steps and providing proper aftercare, your bare-root Alchemilla will establish itself quickly and thrive in your garden for years to come.

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