Alchemilla

Remarkably there are over 300 species of lady's mantle, many of which originating in Europe. Often growing in meadows and relatively open locations. Flowers tend to be green-yellow, attractive in their own right, but the star is the scalloped, palmate foliage. Hairy or glossy, but looking at its best freshly washed by rain. Don't be afraid to cut the whole plant back hard, after flowering, (late spring), to encourage fresh new leaves and maybe a second flush of flowers in late summer to autumn. Alchemilla is derived from the Arabic alkemelych, referring to the plants use in alchemy.

The small, green flowers are visited by smaller insects, especially flies. Some non-native species of lady's mantle are proving to be problematic invaders of natural grassland habitats and are therefore of serious conservation concern. They should not be allowed outside of the confines of gardens.