Five More Alchemilla Mollis 'Thriller' Added to Pizza Oven Bed - Lady's Mantle - July 2026

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In the pizza oven bed, I have a lone, solitary Alchemilla Mollis 'Thriller' (Lady's Mantle) that I planted near the corner of the timbers of the retaining wall.  You can see it in the photos of this post about adding a new (to me) allium variety to that same bed.    I also bought a different variety (Auslese) a few years back and planted it in a spot that is buried in Ostrich Ferns.  I should go see if I can move that thing.....

The reason I bring it up is that I was...well...influenced.  

I saw this post from Erin the Impatient Gardener where she fawns over Alchemilla Mollis (Lady's Mantle) in her garden:

One of my garden rules is to never buy one of anything.  So, I needed to remedy that issue.  

Also, #3 and #4 on my 2026 to-do list are these:


For #3 (Finish up the edit with grasses), I have made progress.  Earlier this season, I planted ten new Hakonechloa Macra grasses to extend row across more of the border.  I should buy more, but that's for later this year.  

As for #4 (Plant up the Pizza oven for depth), I, too, have made progress.  I planted a pair of nodding alliums.  Two (more) Chartreuse on the Loose Nepetas.  Transplanted a couple of pieces of Anemone 'Lucky Charm' from under the Blue Spruce (on Standard) that *seem* to have taken hold.  And, added three Stachys 'Summer Crush' in amongst the Wichita Blue trees.  

There's a spot *behind* the grasses that fits in between #3 and #4.  Or, sort-of checks both boxes.  Lady's Mantle seems like the answer.  The way it 'holds' water droplets is one part of the visual treat.  Having it close to the patio seems like a good choice.  

So, when I was up at Roy Diblik's Northwind Perennial Farm in Wisconsin, I bought five small quart containers of Alchemilla Mollis 'Thriller'.  When I see quarts on the nursery tables at Northwind, I get a feeling of joy.  Especially when I'm there on Thursday afternoons during their "Happy Hour".  They offer 20% off on Thursdays from 2 to 4 pm.  Get there, people.  

Here's the sign from Northwind:


I placed the five quart containers behind the grasses. You can see them placed in the photo below.  The existing one is on the right.

Five More Alchemilla Mollis 'Thriller' Planted

And, here below is the post-planting (and watering) photo.  They're small, but should provide a really-nice texture change behind those grasses.  The dahlias planted behind them will fill in more space, too.


They start-off being a pretty thirsty plant, so I'll try to stay on top of them water-wise and see how they fill-in this space. 
Location: Downers Grove, IL, USA

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