LADY'S MANTLE
Alchemilla mollis
SKU: 863-020
Description
Alchemilla mollis, the garden lady's-mantle or lady's-mantle, is a herbaceous perennial plant native to southern Europe and grown throughout the world as an ornamental garden plant. It grows 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) tall, with leaves that are palmately veined, with a scalloped and serrated margin. The extremely bright chartreuse yellow flowers are held in dense clusters above the foliage. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit!
The plant is often grown as a ground cover, and is especially valued for the leaves collect water beads, which sparkles on the leaves. This is due to the remarkable dewetting properties of the leaves, whereby the contact force between the water and the leaf is so disfavoured that a thin layer of air penetrates the solid-liquid interface. These beads of water were considered by alchemists to be the purest form of water. They utilised this water in their quest to turn base metal into gold. Hence the name Alchemilla.
Type: Hardy perennial
Hardiness zones: 3-9
Height: 20", 50cm
Location: Shade or part shade. Will grow in sun in cool-summer areas.
Seeds per pack: 20 (previously 10)
Germination: Start these seeds right away to preserve viability, no matter the time of year. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. Then cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 5-6 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold stratification period they are then brought back to room temperature for them to germinate. Germination is in 14-60 days after the warming period. If possible, the best location for sowing in March, April and May, is in cold frame or a cold greenhouse where they will receive the cold period and fluctuating temperatures naturally.
Description
Alchemilla mollis, the garden lady's-mantle or lady's-mantle, is a herbaceous perennial plant native to southern Europe and grown throughout the world as an ornamental garden plant. It grows 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) tall, with leaves that are palmately veined, with a scalloped and serrated margin. The extremely bright chartreuse yellow flowers are held in dense clusters above the foliage. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit!
The plant is often grown as a ground cover, and is especially valued for the leaves collect water beads, which sparkles on the leaves. This is due to the remarkable dewetting properties of the leaves, whereby the contact force between the water and the leaf is so disfavoured that a thin layer of air penetrates the solid-liquid interface. These beads of water were considered by alchemists to be the purest form of water. They utilised this water in their quest to turn base metal into gold. Hence the name Alchemilla.
Type: Hardy perennial
Hardiness zones: 3-9
Height: 20", 50cm
Location: Shade or part shade. Will grow in sun in cool-summer areas.
Seeds per pack: 20 (previously 10)
Germination: Start these seeds right away to preserve viability, no matter the time of year. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. Then cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 5-6 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold stratification period they are then brought back to room temperature for them to germinate. Germination is in 14-60 days after the warming period. If possible, the best location for sowing in March, April and May, is in cold frame or a cold greenhouse where they will receive the cold period and fluctuating temperatures naturally.
