Dwarf Lady's Mantle Alchemilla erythropoda
ABOUT
Alchemilla erythropoda, commonly known as lady's mantle, is an attractive perennial plant that exhibits a clumping habit with a dense, mounding foliage. The leaves of lady's mantle are its most distinctive feature, being palmately lobed with a soft, almost velvety texture. The leaf color is a soothing shade of green, with a unique frosted appearance that gives it a silvery look when light reflects off the water droplets that often collect on them. This particular variety of lady's mantle produces small, star-shaped flowers that are a subtle chartreuse to yellow-green color, contributing to the plant's charm. These tiny blooms are neatly clustered in loose, airy sprays, which hover just above the foliage for a whimsical, fairy-like effect. The flowers usually appear in late spring through summer. Overall, the lady's mantle has a low-growing, mounding form that gracefully fills in garden spaces, and its leaves and flowers add texture and interest to the landscape. It's worth noting that, despite being a non-focus, the plant's size remains within a modest range, making it a perfect fit for rock gardens, borders, and groundcover applications.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Dwarf Lady's Mantle
Common names
Alchemilla erythropoda.
ToxicityTo humans
Alchemilla erythropoda, commonly known as Dwarf Lady's Mantle, is not known to be toxic to humans. There are no well-documented symptoms of poisoning because it is not considered poisonous. Therefore, ingesting parts of the Dwarf Lady's Mantle typically does not result in harmful consequences for humans assuming it has not been treated with any toxic substances such as pesticides.
To pets
Dwarf Lady's Mantle is not recognized as a toxic plant to pets either. It should not cause any symptoms of poisoning in animals like dogs and cats if they were to ingest it. Similar to humans, consuming parts of this plant typically does not lead to adverse health effects in pets, but it is important to ensure that the plant has not been chemically treated before allowing pets to interact with it.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
0.5 feet (15 cm)
Spread
0.5 feet (15 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Low maintenance: Alchemilla erythropoda is easy to grow and requires minimal upkeep, making it suitable for gardeners of all levels.
- Drought resistance: The plant is quite tolerant to dry conditions once established, which means it needs less frequent watering compared to other plants.
- Ground cover: Its dense growth habit makes it an excellent ground cover, helping to suppress weeds and protect the soil from erosion.
- Aesthetic appeal: With its attractive foliage and yellow-green flowers, it can add visual interest to gardens and landscapes.
- Attracts wildlife: The flowers can attract beneficial insects such as bees, which are important for pollination.
- Edging plants: They are suitable for border edges and can provide a neat, orderly look to garden paths and walkways.
- Rock gardens: Alchemilla erythropoda is well-suited for rock gardens due to its compact size and ability to thrive in well-draining soil.
- Tolerance to a variety of soils: This plant can grow in a range of soil types, though it prefers well-drained soil.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Alchemilla erythropoda, commonly known as Lady's Mantle, has been traditionally used for setting dyes in fabrics, where the tannins in the plant help fix colors into the material.
- The leaves of Lady's Mantle are used for their waterproof qualities, as they can be used to create small shelters or repel water in nature-inspired craft projects.
- Due to its intriguing leaf shape and texture, Lady's Mantle is often incorporated in floral arrangements and bouquets to add a unique aesthetic touch.
- As an astringent, Lady's Mantle's leaves have been applied to leather in the tanning process to help strengthen and waterproof the material.
- The plant can be used as a natural dye itself, yielding a soft green or yellow color, depending on how it's prepared and applied.
- Some gardeners plant Lady's Mantle as a companion plant to roses and other flowers to help keep aphids and certain pests at bay.
- Lady's Mantle has been used to line pathways and walkways in gardens for ornamental ground cover that can withstand occasional foot traffic.
- The leaves and flowers are sometimes used in crafting, such as pressing for decorative elements in paper making and card design.
- In culinary uses, the young leaves of Lady's Mantle may be added to salads to provide a subtle tang or used as a decorative edible garnish.
- Lady's Mantle is also useful in garden ponds or water features, as it can help to reduce algae growth when planted along the banks.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Lady's Mantle is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Lady's Mantle is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Feminine Empowerment: Alchemilla erythropoda, commonly known as Lady's Mantle, is often associated with femininity due to its soft, rounded leaves that resemble a cloak. It symbolizes the embrace and empowerment of feminine energies.
- Protection: Lady's Mantle's cupped leaves often collect dewdrops, which in folklore were believed to have protective qualities, thus the plant is thought to offer protective energies to its surroundings.
- Healing: Historically, Lady's Mantle has been used in herbal medicine for its healing properties. It symbolizes physical and emotional healing.
- Magic and Alchemy: Its scientific name "Alchemilla" hints at its association with alchemy. The collected water droplets were once called "heavenly water" and used by alchemists, emphasizing its magical connotations.
- Romantic Beauty: With its delicate green flowers and leaves, Lady's Mantle represents the understated beauty and elegance that can be found in simplicity, often tied to romantic notions.
WaterLady's Mantle should be watered regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, water when the top inch of soil feels dry, roughly once a week, with approximately 1 gallon for an outdoor plant or 8 ounces for smaller indoor pots. Reduce watering in the winter when the plant is dormant, ensuring the soil doesn't dry out completely. Overhead watering is beneficial to mimic natural rainfall, but avoid soaking the foliage to prevent potential disease.
LightLady's Mantle prefers a location with partial shade to full sun. The ideal spot is one that receives morning sun and is protected from the intense heat of the midday sun, especially in hotter climates. Dappled sunlight under a tree canopy or a position that gets sun and then afternoon shade would be perfect for this plant.
TemperatureLady's Mantle thrives in a wide range of temperatures, ideally between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it can tolerate temperatures as low as 5 degrees and as high as 90 degrees. The plant is quite hardy and can survive frost as long as it's not extended and severe.
PruningPruning Lady's Mantle is done to remove spent flower stalks and encourage a tidy growth habit. After blooming, cut back the flower stems to the base to possibly encourage a second bloom and to prevent self-seeding if not desired. Pruning is best performed in late summer or autumn after the flowering period.
CleaningAs needed
SoilLady's Mantle thrives in well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. A mix of garden soil, compost, perlite, and peat moss is ideal for this plant's growth.
RepottingLady's Mantle should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate growth.
Humidity & MistingLady's Mantle flourishes best in moderate humidity, typically between 40% to 60%, and doesn’t require any special humidity adjustments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light with well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Choose a spot with partial shade and well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleAlchemilla erythropoda, commonly known as dwarf lady's mantle, begins its life cycle as a seed, which upon germination in favorable conditions, sprouts and develops into a seedling. The seedling grows through a vegetative stage, forming a low rosette of rounded, lobed leaves that are often covered with fine hairs. In the reproductive stage, during late spring to early summer, the plant produces small, inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers atop airy stems. After pollination, potentially by wind or insects given their generalist flower structure, the flowers develop into small, dry fruits containing the seeds for the next generation. The plant typically dies back in the winter but can self-seed and regenerate in the following growing season, completing its perennial life cycle. In some conditions, the plant may also spread vegetatively through its root system, creating a colony of clonal plants.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
Propogation: Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla erythropoda) is commonly propagated through division, which is both popular and effective for this herbaceous perennial. The best time to divide Lady's Mantle is in early spring or fall when the plant is not in active bloom. To propagate by division, carefully dig up an established clump and gently separate it into smaller sections, each with a portion of the root system. These individual sections can then be replanted in a prepared garden bed or pot, spaced about 12 inches (approximately 30 centimeters) apart to allow sufficient room for growth. Ensure they are planted at the same depth they were originally and water them well to help establish the new divisions. Regular watering and avoiding direct afternoon sun will encourage the divisions to root successfully, thus continuing the spread of this attractive ground cover with its scalloped leaves and delicate greenish-yellow flowers.
