HERB OF THE MONTH
April
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Just imagine a plant that captures the early morning dewdrops, cupping them for passing insects to sip. Picture elegant blue-green ruffles in tidy clumps, then top it with delicate chartreuse flowers. And make this plant a rock-hardy perennial with a history and a future.
Lady’s-mantle (Alchemilla mollis) is also known as dew cup for the way the soft hairs on its pleated leaves catch raindrops and dew. Christians dedicated it to the Virgin Mary because the lobes of the leaves resembled the scalloped edges of her cloak.
Easy and adaptable, tough and vigorous, this member of the rose family has nice manners and belongs in every herb garden. Hardy in Zones 3 through 9, it may grow to a height and spread of 32 inches, depending on the species. Lady’s-mantle grows best in rich, moist, well-drained soil in full or partial sun. Cut flower stalks back to the base after blooming to bring on a new flush of leaves in the fall.
You can grow lady’s mantle from seed but it is easier to propagate it by digging up offsets of established plants in spring or early fall.
Lady’s-mantle is little used as medicine today, but once was widely used to treat gynecological disorders. The active ingredients in lady’s-mantle are tannins, which are astringent. Leaf infusions have also been used on wounds and skin irritations or a cold compress for puffy eyes. The young leaves are bitter but are sometimes added to a salad. The leaves yield a green dye for wool. Lady’s-mantle leaves dry well for wreaths and dried arrangements.
If your space is limited (or you need rest stops for fairies), you may wish to choose from some of the smaller species of lady’s-mantle. They can be grown in containers and all have chartreuse flowers and the habit of capturing glittering germs of morning dew. Lady’s-mantle can be glorious when planted in multiples, masses, and mirrored. Some species are used for ground cover, while others stand alone as mounded plants.
Reference: Herb Companion magazine, January 1999
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