Lady’s Mantle – an easy-care ground cover with a healing effect in your garden

Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla Vulgaris) is a common perennial, which gives every garden-fresh yellow-green accents. Many gardeners prefer the plant as ground cover and at the same time benefit from its robustness and ease of maintenance. Originally from Asia and Eastern Europe, the perennial became very popular even in our latitudes in the Middle Ages, especially as a medicinal plant and as a so-called alchemist’s herb. The alchemists tried to make gold from the drops of water that collected on the plant leaves early in the morning. The vernacular has given the lady’s mantle many other names, such as woundwort, sky water, storm grass, ladybird, etc. In the following lines, we will tell you a lot of important information and care tips about the lady’s mantle.

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Where does the lady’s mantle thrive best?

The plant, which belongs to the rose family, grows outdoors in high meadows or in light forests. There are more than 1000 types of it. However, the most well-known and planted are the soft and the small women’s coat as well as the so-called silver women’s coat.

The latter two species are much smaller in growth and do not grow taller than 20 cm, while the soft lady’s coat can also grow up to 40 cm high. The perennial prefers sunny and partially shaded spots in the garden, but can even hold its own in the shade. The optimal soil should be rich in nutrients and permeable. Loamy soil can also cope with the robust plant just as well. Although the perennial love moderate moisture, some species can thrive even in drier soils like the rock garden.

How to properly care for your lady’s coat

The optimal time for planting is from October because the perennial is a frost germ. But this is also not seen so strictly in lady’s coats. You can also sow it in spring. The same goes for cuttings, of course. The flowers usually come from May to September and turn into small seeds after they have faded. The perennial is even prone to self-sowing, which can be controlled by regular plucking in spring and regular pruning. The lady’s mantle can easily be increased by division and used as ground cover against weeds. You also do not need to secure winter protection for the plant, because it is absolutely hardy.

Lady’s mantle effect – why is the plant so healthy?

The medicinal plant is primarily the common lady’s mantle (Alchemilla xanthochromia). This contains a lot of tannins such as agrimoniin as well as important flavonoids. These ingredients are known to have an antispasmodic, analgesic, and antibacterial effect. In naturopathy, the plant is therefore used for mild diarrhea caused by gastrointestinal germs as well as for menstrual disorders, menopausal symptoms, and itching. In addition, tea made from lady’s mantle leaves has a calming effect and is therefore very positive for the heart and nervous system.

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The tea can be prepared easily by picking fresh leaves before flowering and letting them steep in hot water for 10 minutes.

Attention! If you suffer from certain intolerance or are pregnant, you should definitely consult your doctor beforehand.

The lady’s coat is no less popular because of its decorative properties. This can be combined with many other perennials and plants in the garden and also cuts a fine figure in bridal bouquets or as a festive and subtle table decoration. Let yourself be convinced and inspired!