Gaia
'Lady's Mantle' Seeds
Alchemilla mollis
The details that matter
'Lady's Mantle' Seeds (Alchemilla mollis). This perennial forms a rounded clump of soft grey-green foliage admired for the droplets that bead on its leaves after dew or rain. Small chartreuse flowers attract pollinators and blend easily into fresh or dried bouquets. The foliage is also widely used in dried flower arrangements. The packet contains 30 organic seeds; Gaia does not identify them as certified organic. Lady’s mantle is an open-pollinated heirloom. Kew recognizes Alchemilla mollis as an accepted species in the Rosaceae family. Its low mounded form works along paths, beneath roses, and in softly textured perennial borders. For practical seed starting, growing from seed succeeds best when the verified product depth, moisture and temperature guidance is followed.
Cold stratification for three weeks is required. Then sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost, or direct sow outdoors once all frost danger has passed. Place seeds approximately 1/8 inch deep. Maintain the medium at 15 to 20°C, preferably around 18°C; germination takes 28 to 35 days. Harden young plants before setting them outside. Space them 8 to 12 inches apart and leave 18 to 24 inches between rows. Grow in gentle sun or partial shade and fertile humus-rich well-drained soil that retains even moisture. Keep the seedbed consistently moist during the long germination period without saturating it. Use the product details as a clear guide on how to start seeds while keeping the growing medium evenly moist, never saturated. For indoor seed starting, count back from local conditions and frost dates to decide when to start indoor seeds.
Plants reach approximately 1 to 2 feet high and wide, with maturity listed around 200 days. Water at soil level during dry periods and remove faded flowers when you want to limit self-seeding. For bouquets, harvest in mid to late afternoon after morning dew has dried. Handle leaves gently because they bruise easily and may turn black. Dry stems in small bundles hung in a dark dry ventilated area. Gaia lists the flowers as edible; use only correctly identified flowers grown without treatments unsuitable for food plants, and avoid medicinal use without professional guidance. Store fresh harvested material in a bag for no more than 3 to 4 days.
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