Alchemilla epipsila
LADY'S MANTLE
SKU: 1903-20
Description
Alchemilla epipsila is almost identical to Alchemilla mollis but A. Epipsila it is smaller and more compact.
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. The extremely bright chartreuse yellow flowers are held in dense clusters above the foliage.
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: 3-8
Height: 16", 40cm
Location: Shade or part shade. Will grow in sun in cool-summer areas.
Seeds per pack: 20
Germination: Start these seeds indoors right away for best germination rates. Your planting container should have holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Do not bury the seeds as they require light for germination. Sow the seeds on the surface of a seed-start mix, and water in. Leave them at room temperature for 5 weeks. This helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. They will not grow yet. Then a cooling period is required. Cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 80 days. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to a cool room (15C, 59F) for them to germinate. Germination is generally 30-90 days after the warming period, though some can take longer.
Description
Alchemilla epipsila is almost identical to Alchemilla mollis but A. Epipsila it is smaller and more compact.
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. The extremely bright chartreuse yellow flowers are held in dense clusters above the foliage.
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: 3-8
Height: 16", 40cm
Location: Shade or part shade. Will grow in sun in cool-summer areas.
Seeds per pack: 20
Germination: Start these seeds indoors right away for best germination rates. Your planting container should have holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Do not bury the seeds as they require light for germination. Sow the seeds on the surface of a seed-start mix, and water in. Leave them at room temperature for 5 weeks. This helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. They will not grow yet. Then a cooling period is required. Cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 80 days. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to a cool room (15C, 59F) for them to germinate. Germination is generally 30-90 days after the warming period, though some can take longer.
