Featured plant: lady's mantle

Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla mollis) Perennial. Zones 3-8. This is one of those staples for every garden. It grows in full to part sun and can tolerate quite a bit of shade if it gets a little sun. In hot climates, it needs to be planted in part sun to shade as it comes from cooler northern European regions. It also needs to be kept well watered. The foliage can grow to 18" and the large leaves often have droplets of water at the edges. The genus name alludes to a supposed property of using the water that collects in the center of the leaves to turn lead into gold. Lady's mantle refers to the fact that the leaves look like a pleated cloak. It has been used medicinally for female problems, used as an astringent for wounds and the roots are edible. Cattle and sheep will eat the foliage. I just like it for it's nice leaves and airy sprays of yellow flowers that last well on the plant and can be dried. Wll do ok in most soils and should be watered when dry. Can profusely seed itself. Take the little seedlings and plant them elsewhere or let it all become a nice patch

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