When do I cut alchemilla back?

After flowering in late July or early August — cut the whole plant down to 10 cm above the ground. Three reasons: (1) prevents prolific self-seeding (a major issue if not done); (2) triggers a fresh flush of clean foliage for late summer; (3) removes the slightly tatty post-flower foliage. The plant regrows in 2–3 weeks with fresh new leaves; a second light flush of flowers sometimes follows.

Why is alchemilla seeding all over my garden?

It's prolific self-seeder if not deadheaded. Each plant produces thousands of seeds that drop in any bare soil. The solution: cut the plant down to 10 cm right after flowering (late July) before seeds set. For unwanted seedlings: pull them while small (March–April); they're easy to remove young. Mature alchemilla has a deep root system that's harder to dig out. Many UK gardeners accept some self-seeding for the easy ground cover, just pulling volunteers from where they're unwanted.

Why do alchemilla leaves hold raindrops as beads?

Natural hydrophobic surface. The pleated alchemilla leaf has a slightly water-repellent surface and a concave shape that holds rainwater or heavy dew as a single large mercury-like droplet at the leaf centre. Medieval alchemists collected this alchemilla water (the source of the plant's genus name — derived from alchemy) believing it had magical properties. In the modern garden: simply one of the great quiet pleasures — a border of alchemilla after rain holds dozens of these silver beads.

Will alchemilla grow in shade?

Yes — it's one of the most shade-tolerant flowering perennials. Tolerates part shade and even fairly deep shade, though flower production reduces in deep shade. Best display: part shade with morning sun. Dry shade under trees: alchemilla survives where most plants fail, though stays smaller and flowers less. For shaded ground cover: alchemilla mixes well with hardy geranium (G. macrorrhizum), pulmonaria, and hostas.

Can alchemilla be invasive?

Yes by self-seeding, not by spread. Alchemilla doesn't run by rhizomes (no underground spread), but it produces enormous amounts of seed that germinate anywhere there's bare soil. An un-managed alchemilla can produce hundreds of seedlings annually, gradually colonising paths, gravel, lawn edges, and any bare patch. Manage with the post-flower cut-back (mid-July) — this prevents self-seeding entirely. The plant itself stays a tidy clump; the spread is only via seed.

What does alchemilla pair well with?

Cottage garden classics. (1) With roses: alchemilla's lime-green softens the strong rose colours and fills gaps at the base. (2) With nepeta (catmint): the lime-green-against-violet contrast is one of the great UK garden combinations. (3) With hardy geranium: any colour works — pink, magenta, blue, white. (4) With dark foliage: heuchera Palace Purple or Obsidian for dramatic contrast. (5) In bouquets: alchemilla makes the perfect bridging foliage between any flower colours.

Vrouwenschoentje

Alchemilla mollis

Plant alchemilla in autumn or spring, in sun or part shade in any decent garden soil — it's one of the most reliable UK perennial ground cover plants, with soft pleated palmate leaves (40 cm wide) and frothy clouds of tiny lime-green flowers from June to August. Alchemilla is very hardy (RHS H7) and famously easy — tolerates almost any UK garden condition except deep dry shade. The leaves hold raindrops as silver beads in a magical visual effect that's been admired in UK gardens for centuries. Cut the whole plant down to 10 cm after flowering to trigger fresh foliage and prevent prolific self-seeding (the plant can become a colony if let go). Self-seeds anywhere that's bare soil — manage by deadheading and pulling unwanted seedlings.

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