Name: Alchemilla mollis, aka Lady’s Mantle
Type of Plant: This is a herbaceous perennial plant that grows in sun or part-shade and is hardy in Zones 3 to 8.

Why I Love/Hate this plant: I love lady’s mantle for so many reasons! It’s easy to grow, adaptable to a variety of light levels, has lovely lime green flowers in the early summer, and the leaves display raindrops like diamonds.

This perennial is best planted in groups of three or more, and it can even be a good groundcover plant in areas where it’s allowed to self-seed and spread.

A Word to the Wise: Deadhead the faded flowers once they turn brown so that the plant looks better. If you want this plant to self-seed, however, leave a stem or two on each plant so that the seeds can mature and spread in your landscape.

This is a good front-of-the-garden perennial, especially when flanked by low-growing annuals, low perennial asters or other plants that become the stars of the show later in the summer.

This group of Alchemilla mollis ‘Robusta’ is at the end of my trial garden. This particular variety has flower stems that stay more upright than the straight species. It’s the perfect lady’s mantle to cut for bouquets in June.

Lady’s mantle flowers at the same time as peonies, nepeta and penstemon. These, along with some pink Silene armeria, aka none-so-pretty, flowers and the white Valeriana officinalis, make a beautiful June bouquet.

After it rains or you’ve watered the garden, Alchemilla mollis leaves hold the drops of water on display as if they are diamonds at Tiffany & Company.