Lady's Mantle Seeds

Official Name: Alchemilla

General description: Lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis or Alchemilla vulgaris) is an attractive perennial plant. Once a popular medicinal herb, the root and leaves of lady's mantle plant were both harvested in midsummer and used as poultices for bruises and wound healing. Its tea was used for easing menstrual pain in women as well.

How to grow: 

Lady’s mantle grows easily from seed, divisions or nursery transplants. Plant a few plants in the garden and you’ll soon have more than you need. Sow seeds in the garden in the fall or in early spring, or you can start them indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Keep the seed trays moist and plant them outdoors when the plants stand 4 inches tall. Space transplants 12 inches apart. They’ll fill in quickly to make a dense ground cover. Amend the soil before planting with compost or manure and dig in a slow-release 10-10-10 fertilizer at a rate of ½ cup per 100 square feet. Water the plants at least weekly as they become established to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy. Mulch the ground with 2 inches of wood chips, which suppresses weed growth and also conserves moisture. One frequent problem with lady’s mantle is its enthusiastic self-sowing. In moist, shady areas, the plants can quickly become invasive. Deadhead the flowers as soon as they fade to minimize this problem and pull up any plants that grow in unwanted areas.

Benefits: “Lady's mantle” is a good description, for it is chiefly a herb for women. It is anti-inflammatory and astringent, and has properties that are good for regulating menstruation.