Lady’s Mantle companion plants are a great way to introduce variety and interest to your garden. Even though the Lady’s Mantle is a unique plant, there are some shortcomings that can be fulfilled with companion planting.
A plethora of flowering plants come in all shapes and sizes, a perfect way to introduce a beautiful contrast with the lime-green flowers and foliage of Lady’s Mantle.
These flowering plants should be able to survive in similar conditions and should not have adverse effects on the growth of Lady’s Mantle, keep reading to pick up the right choice for you.
Contents
Types of Lady’s Mantle Companion Plants
1. Alliums
Alliums make a great if you are wondering what to plant next to Lady’s Mantle. These colorful plants are related to onions, which is unconventional as most of us will not think of onions as ornamental plants in a garden.
But this pompous plant produces vibrant flowers that combine with the vibrant blooms of hyssops.
– Characteristics
Alchemilla produces lime-green flowers with primarily green foliage. Although it has its own unique look, the alliums bring in a welcomed contrast with their vibrant and bold appearance. The interest brought in by this combination is the reason these plants work together so well. Another excellent reason for combining Alliums with the Lady’s, is the plants’ shape.
Alliums grow to a decent height with tall stems that bear flowers at the top. These thin stems do not have a lot of foliage, making the scene under the plant a bit lacking luster. This problem is easily solved by companion planting with Lady’s Mantle. On another note, they also provide a background to the showy little flowers and fill the empty spaces in the scene.
On top of the visual benefits, this companionship is also very easily maintained. Alliums are tough and hardy plants that do not require a lot of hassle to grow.
They are tolerant to both cold and droughts and are not bothered by pests, rodents, and other wildlife like deer that may threaten other plant life, which is why it is a great choice to plant them, as a way of protecting the rest of your plants. Furthermore, there are wide varieties for you to choose from.
– Growth Requirements
These beautiful purple flowers can quickly get accustomed to all types of soil as long as they are well-draining. On the other hand, you must provide them with slightly acidic soil is a plus.
If you want to see an abundance of vibrant, colorful flowers, you will do well to plant alliums at a location that receives plenty of sunlight. However, they can grow in partial shade as well.
What you should remember is that it is important that you do not require a lot of watering, and if you live in a rainy area, that would be more than sufficient to meet their water requirements. However, you should remember that waterlogged soil is dangerous for these plants.
2. Peonies
Peonies are show-stealers with their abundant colorful blooms. It makes a great companion plant for Alchemilla Mollis that bloom each spring. Their blooming period is also close to that of Lady’s Mantle, which will help your garden blossom into a colorful sanctuary of nature. What is so significant is that peonies will look fabulous no matter where you plant them.
When you decide to be planting some Alchemilla just below peonies would give an excellent background to the brightly colored flowers.
In other words, the contrast of the green leaves, with the colorful flowers, is a perfect fit, and simply they will create a beautiful, coherent scene with peonies as the centerpiece. These large blossoms are adorned with red, pink, yellow, and white shades.
– Characteristics
Peonies are perennial plants that have over 33 different species. Many of these plants are herbaceous, but some of them are woody as well. In addition to their beautiful blossoms, they produce a sweet fragrance to add to the experience. They can be categorized depending on the flower type or growth habit.
These plants rely heavily on their roots, so you will have to handle them carefully, especially when planting them. Their varieties have different blooming periods, ranging from spring to sometimes late summer, you will see the multiple folds of petals thriving in their blossoming season. But the best time to plant them is in fall, a couple of weeks before the arrival of the frost.
– Growth Requirements
Peonies are very flexible with different types of soils, but they prefer to grow in well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Once peonies settle in the ground, they can remain there for the rest of their season, and everything will be splendid.
On another note, these beautiful flower also need their time under the sun and like growing in full sun. If they are planted in an area with little sunlight, you may not see a lot of flowers on them.
In addition to this, when it comes to their irrigation requirements, they need regular water to survive easily. However, they can survive in soggy soil but do not have resistance against drought. Adding in mulch will help retain moisture in the ground.
3. Salvia
Saliva is the next plant on our list of companions in a beautiful Alchemilla garden. These are unique plants that produce peculiar tall and vibrant flowers, especially when they start blooming.
These flowers will captivate everyone and be the center of attention in any area. Salvia makes a beautiful combination with many other plants, but their contrasting colors make them an excellent choice for Lady’s Mantle.
– Characteristics
The flowers are not the only exciting thing in this companion planting combination. Although Lady’s Mantle is a beautiful plant, it lacks height even when it reaches full maturity. This aspect is easily solved by introducing the sage flowers into the garden. Both plants complement each other with their unique characteristics.
You are also not at all limited by options as there are about so many species of Salvia that you can cultivate, many of which are common garden plants. Their large flowers bloom in shades of red, pink, blue, and purple, so there is something for everyone. In addition, Lady’s Mantle and Salvia like the same growing conditions, which is another reason to plant them together.
The best time to plant Salvia is mid-spring when the soil temperatures have risen considerably. But once they are planted, sage proliferates and blooms with their colorful blossoms. Their heart-shaped leaves give off a specific fragrance that works as a repellent against pests and deer.
On another note, when you have planted these greens, you will see that when they start thriving with the right growth requirements, they will thrive.
When they thrive, they will start releasing their aroma, or chemicals in the air that will repel different types of pests away, such as snails and beetles, that will revolt when they approach this plant or the ones surrounding it.
– Growth Requirements
Salvia prefers to grow in moist, well-draining, neutral, or acidic soil. They grow best in soil mixtures rich in nutrients and organic matter, and the roots will develop properly.
Moreover, they can grow and survive in areas of partial shade, but ideally, they like to grow under full sun. They would grow to their full potential and produce the healthiest flowers in the presence of sunlight.
Salvia needs regular watering to keep the soil moist, but overwatering can lead to soggy soil, leading to root rot. So, plan your watering sessions to keep the soil moist but do not overdo it.
4. Roses
Roses are probably the most recognizable flowers in the entire world. They are easily recognized by their signature appearance and fragrance.
Roses are hardy plants that can be grown anywhere around the globe and adapt to various kinds of weather and growing conditions. Due to these properties, they are a great option as a companion plant with Alchemilla.
– Characteristics
Lady’s Mantle is not the only one that benefits from this companionship, because rose plants have little to no foliage on their stems. On top, they have thorny leaves and branches, which gives this plant a little intimidating look. This issue is easily remedied by planting them with the low-growing Lady’s Mantle.
Alchemilla’s green foliage and flowers will nicely complement the comparatively empty branches of a rose plant. Furthermore, this green background would be a great background to enhance the appeal of the many colors that roses come in. You can have signature red roses or other rarer varieties such as yellow, pink, white, and that will look very vibrant in your garden.
The different varieties of roses also have their unique nature. Some of them can be quickly grown in outdoor gardens without much hassle and can be maintained easily. Other types can be suitable for planting in pots and containers. Climbing rose varieties are great for covering fences around your garden, such as a trellis.
– Growth Requirements
These beautiful flowers are ones that like loamy and well-drained soil that are evenly moist but do not become soggy, or else they will weaken. On another note, they also prefer soil that is neutral or slightly acidic in nature.
Generally, roses like to be kept under full sunlight, but if you live in an area with a hot climate, it can lead to leaf scorch from the heat. In this case, the plants would benefit from partial shade.
As a rule of thumb, roses like to be watered twice a week, but they prefer deep watering to frequent shallow watering sessions. However, you should avoid wetting the leaves directly or during evening watering sessions, as it can lead to mildew infestation.
5. Penstemon
Penstemon is a beautiful genus of the plantain family of ornamental flowering planting, including foxglove and snapdragon.
They make a great companion plant with Lady’s Mantle, brightly colored flowers, and thin leaves. Like roses, penstemon is a great way to add contrasting colors with Alchemilla.
– Characteristics
Penstemon comes in various colors, like white, pink, purple, and deep red. Which means that, there is no shortage of options to match your taste. This plant’s long narrow leaves perfectly complement Alchemilla’s rounded leaves. Not only through their beautiful colors but there are also around 250 species of penstemon to find the perfect one for you.
These plants are perennial ones that are also known as “beard-tongue.” This nickname rises from the pollen-free stamen that rises from inside the flowers of penstemon. This stamen looks like a bearded iris with its shape and positioning, hence the nickname. Penstemon grows quickly from seeds that can be planted in early spring.
– Growth Requirements
Penstemon prefers rocky, well-drained soils instead of rich garden soils. Using compost to make the ground better for plants is okay, but avoid applying manure. They also prefer soils that are neutral or acidic.
Like many other flowering plants, these as well as their time under full sun and will produce the best flowers.
Penstemons are very tolerant of droughts but need water once a week to be healthy.
Conclusion
Lady’s Mantle companion plants are beautiful flowering plants that complement the colors and low-growing nature of Alchemilla Mollis.
If you are planning to plant your cottage garden, make sure to consider the following factors:
- Most flowering plants like sunlight, so choose a place accordingly.
- Avoid overwatering as often it will lead to root rot, such as the roses when you plant them.
- Many grow perfectly in garden soils, but some, like the penstemon, prefer rocky soils.
Lady’s Mantle companion plants are a great way to complete your cottage-styled garden with colors spread across the scene. Alchemilla mollis, is a versatile plant that can be used as a ground cover or as a border plant, so now, which one will you be choosing?
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