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Rosaceae
Lady's Mantle
Alchemilla mollis
Comfort, alchemy, divine femininity.
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Genus
- Alchemilla
- Native to
- Eastern Europe, Asia Minor
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer
- Type
- Perennial
- Height
- 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
- Sunlight
- Part shade to full sun
- Soil
- Average to moist, well-drained
- Water
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- 3–8
- Lifespan
- Long-lived perennial
Did you know
- The genus name 'Alchemilla' comes from Arabic 'al-kemelyeh' (alchemy)—medieval alchemists collected the morning dew that beads on its leaves, believing it was the purest water on Earth and could transform lead into gold.
- The leaves are coated in a waxy bloom that makes water bead up and roll into perfect silver spheres at their center—a quiet daily miracle in any rain garden.
- The fluffy chartreuse flowers were once a key ingredient in 'green' wedding bouquets and herbalists' beauty waters across medieval Europe.
- It was named 'Lady's mantle' for the Virgin Mary—the scalloped leaves were thought to resemble her cloak, and it was planted in monastery gardens for healing women's complaints.
- Lady's mantle is one of the very few flowers that look as good in a vase wilted as fresh—florists love it for its acid-green froth that softens any bouquet.
Color meanings
0
comfort
1
alchemy
2
feminine grace