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Thriller Lady's Mantle

Alchemilla mollis 'Thriller'


Regular price $1699
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Delivery and Shipping

Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

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Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Attracts pollinators, Deer-resistant, Drought resistant, Flowering, and Groundcover

Specifications

  • Botanical Name
    Alchemilla mollis 'Thriller'
  • Height
    1-2 Feet
  • Width
    1-2 Feet
  • Growing Zones
    3-7
  • Sunlight
    • Full sun
    • Partial shade
  • Growth Rate
    Moderate
  • Flower Color
    • Yellow
  • Leaf Color
    • Green
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Bloom Period
    Early Summer, Late Summer
  • Does Not Ship To
    AK, HI, ID, MT

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: This perennial thrives in full sun to part shade. In hotter climates, provide afternoon shade to prevent the foliage from scorching, though more sun generally leads to a more profuse display of chartreuse flowers.
  • Soil: Aim for moist, organic, well-drained soil. If you have heavy clay, mix in some compost to improve drainage, as "wet feet" during winter can lead to crown rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water twice a week to ensure the root system establishes deeply. Once mature, Lady's Mantle is quite resilient, but inconsistent moisture during heat waves will cause the scalloped leaves to brown at the edges. Keeping the soil consistently moist helps the plant maintain its famous ability to bead water droplets on its foliage.

Pruning Tips

This plant blooms on new growth, so you should deadhead spent flowers immediately after they fade in early summer. Cut the flower stalks back to the basal leaves to encourage a possible second flush of blooms and to prevent aggressive self-seeding. Think of a mid-summer "haircut" for the foliage; if the leaves look tattered after flowering, shear the whole plant back to the ground to trigger a fresh, tidy mound of new growth.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring as the new leaves emerge. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this stimulates tender new growth that can be easily damaged by the first frost. A light mulch of organic compost around the base of the plant each spring is usually all it needs to stay vigorous.

Glistening Foliage and Frothy Chartreuse Blooms

Imagine stepping into your garden after a morning rain to find your plants decorated with shimmering pearls. Thriller Lady's Mantle is famous for the way its velvety, scalloped leaves catch and hold onto water droplets, creating a magical visual effect that few other perennials can match. This specific cultivar, Alchemilla mollis 'Thriller', offers a slightly more robust habit and larger leaves than the standard species, making it an essential choice for adding soft texture and luminosity to your landscape borders.

A Deer Resistant Groundcover for Easy Maintenance

One of the top reasons gardeners choose this plant is its versatility as a deer resistant groundcover. The fuzzy, fine hairs that give the leaves their soft feel are exactly what keeps browsing deer and rabbits away from your flower beds. This plant solves the common problem of "empty feet" in the garden by filling in gaps with dense, low-growing foliage. It functions beautifully as a living mulch, suppressing weeds while providing a lush, carpet-like appearance that stays green and vibrant throughout the growing season.

Does Lady's Mantle Like Sun or Shade?

If you are wondering if Lady's Mantle likes sun or shade, the answer depends largely on where you live. In cooler northern climates, this plant thrives in full sun and produces the most prolific blooms there. However, gardeners in hotter southern regions should provide afternoon shade to prevent the foliage from scorching in the intense summer heat. It is reliable in USDA zones 3 through 8 and handles a variety of soil types, though it performs best in moist, well-drained spots. This adaptability makes it a "set it and forget it" favorite for busy homeowners.

Seasonal Beauty and Cut Flower Versatility

The show starts in mid-spring when the pleated, sage-green leaves unfurl. By June, the plant is covered in airy clusters of chartreuse flowers. These frothy, lime-yellow blooms are a florist favorite because they provide a vibrant, neutral backdrop that makes every other color in a bouquet stand out. As the season progresses, you can simply shear the spent flower stalks back to encourage a fresh flush of foliage that looks tidy well into the autumn months. Even when not in bloom, the architectural shape of the foliage provides constant visual interest.

Landscape Design and Edging Plant Ideas

Growing about 18 to 24 inches tall and wide, this hardy perennial fits comfortably into almost any landscape plan. Use it as an edging plant along a walkway where the leaves can spill over the stones or use it to hide the bare lower stems of leggy roses. It works beautifully in a container as a filler or massed together to create a low-maintenance border. Because it is a reliable nectar source for pollinators, you will often see beneficial insects visiting the tiny stars of the flower heads throughout the summer.

Watch as this garden classic transforms your landscape with its unique texture and light-catching leaves. You might find that one or two are not enough once you see how they pull your entire garden design together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Lady's Mantle like sun or shade?

  • Lady's Mantle is highly adaptable but has specific preferences based on your climate. In cooler northern regions (Zones 3-6), it thrives in full sun, which encourages a tighter mounding habit and more prolific flowers. In hotter southern regions, it performs best in partial shade, specifically requiring protection from the intense afternoon sun to prevent the velvety leaves from scorching.

Is Lady's Mantle deer and rabbit resistant?

  • Yes, Lady's Mantle is considered highly resistant to both deer and rabbits. These garden visitors generally avoid the plant because of the fine, soft hairs that cover the foliage, which creates an unappealing texture for browsing. This makes it an excellent choice for a low-maintenance, wildlife-resistant groundcover.

Why do the leaves of Lady's Mantle hold water droplets?

  • The leaves of Alchemilla mollis are covered in millions of microscopic, water-repelling hairs. This creates a "lotus effect" where morning dew or rain beads up into perfect, shimmering spheres rather than soaking into the leaf. Historically, alchemists believed these droplets were the purest form of water, which is how the plant earned its botanical name.

How do you keep Lady's Mantle from spreading too much?

  • While not considered invasive, Thriller Lady's Mantle can self-seed in ideal growing conditions. To prevent unwanted seedlings and keep the plant in its designated space, simply "deadhead" the plant by cutting back the flower stalks once the chartreuse blooms begin to fade in mid-summer.

What are the best companion plants for Lady's Mantle?

  • Because of its unique chartreuse color and soft texture, Lady's Mantle is the ultimate "weaver" in the garden. It looks spectacular when paired with the deep purples of Salvia or Lavender, the classic blooms of Shrub Roses, or the architectural foliage of Blue Hosta. It is particularly useful for "hiding the feet" of leggy perennials.

Does Thriller Lady's Mantle need to be cut back in the fall?

  • It is usually best to wait until early spring to clean up the foliage. Leaving the spent leaves in place through the winter provides an extra layer of insulation for the crown. Once you see new green growth emerging in the spring, you can safely remove the old, tattered leaves from the previous year.

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