Alchemilla mollis

Alchemilla mollis is a charming little plant with frothy lime-green summer flowers and neatly pleated apple-green, fan-shaped leaves which persist all season. Often overlooked by gardeners in search of something exciting, the unpretentious appearance of lady's mantle makes it extremely useful all round the garden. Grow as ground cover in shade or beneath roses. If allowed to self-seed into gravel or cracks between paving, the resulting seedlings are very drought tolerant. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Grow Alchemilla mollis in moist but well-drained soil in sun to partial shade. Cut back foliage hard in late summer to encourage a new flush of leaves.