Pruning lady's mantle
Advice for October in the Netherlands
Lady's mantle does not need an annual hard cut, but can produce fresh foliage after a post-flowering trim. Remove faded flowers promptly if you want to limit self-seeding. The months are a guide for gardens in the Netherlands and Belgium; growth stage and weather take priority.
Lady's mantle — October
Check this first
A healthy lady's mantle does not need cutting now. Dead autumn foliage may remain as shelter for small creatures until the spring tidy.
Pay attention to this
- To limit seedlings, do not wait until flower heads shed dry seed.
- Do not cut through young pleated leaves in the centre of the clump.
- A full summer cut leaves a temporary gap in the border; consider doing sections in turn.
Frequently asked questions
- Why does lady's mantle appear between paving stones?
- Alchemilla mollis self-seeds readily. Remove faded flower stems before the seeds ripen if you want to limit this.
- Can healthy leaves remain after flowering?
- Yes. You can remove just the flower stems; renewing the whole canopy is an option for tired foliage.
- When should I clear winter remains?
- At the start of spring growth, usually March or April, once old and new leaves are easy to distinguish.