Lady's Mantle in March: monthly care

Lady's mantle is a reliable, unfussy perennial that thrives in a wide range of conditions. Plant it in March, April, September, or October when the soil is workable and temperatures are mild. It performs equally well in full sun or partial shade, though in hotter, drier gardens a spot with afternoon shade will help prevent the foliage scorching in midsummer. This plant tolerates most soil types—loam, clay, and chalky soils are all suitable—as long as drainage is reasonable. Heavy clay is fine; lady's mantle actually copes better with moisture-retentive soil than many perennials. Before planting, dig over the area and work in a spadeful of garden compost or well-rotted manure to improve structure and fertility, especially if your soil is poor or very free-draining. Plant so the crown sits at soil level, not buried. Space plants 45 cm apart; they will knit together into a weed-suppressing clump within a couple of seasons. If you're planting pot-grown specimens, water them thoroughly in their pots an hour beforehand. Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball, settle the plant in, backfill with soil, and firm gently with your hands. Water in well after planting, even if the soil feels damp, to settle roots and eliminate air pockets. In spring plantings, keep the soil moist for the first few weeks as growth gets underway. Autumn-planted lady's mantle establishes roots over winter and will need little attention until spring. A 5 cm layer of garden compost or leaf mould around (but not touching) the crown helps retain moisture and suppresses weeds while the plant fills out.

Lady's mantle is genuinely low-maintenance once established. Its water needs are moderate; in most temperate gardens, rainfall will suffice except during prolonged dry spells in summer. If the leaves start to wilt or look dull, water deeply at the base rather than sprinkling lightly. Plants in full sun or free-draining soil may need watering every week or so in hot, dry weather, while those in partial shade or heavier clay will manage with much less. Feed once a year in March with a general-purpose granular fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone or Growmore, scattered around the base of the clump and lightly worked into the soil surface. A handful per plant is plenty. Alternatively, a 3–5 cm mulch of garden compost in early spring feeds the soil and helps retain moisture through summer. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which promote soft, lush growth at the expense of flowers. Lady's mantle is fully hardy to zone 3a, so overwintering in temperate Europe is never a problem. The foliage may remain semi-evergreen in mild winters, but it often dies back partially or looks shabby by late winter. Simply tidy away any browned leaves in early spring before new growth emerges. Pests and diseases rarely trouble this plant. Occasionally aphids cluster on young flower stems in May, but they seldom cause lasting harm; a strong jet of water usually shifts them. In very wet seasons or poorly drained spots, slugs may nibble emerging leaves in spring, though the hairy, slightly bitter foliage isn't their favourite. Otherwise, lady's mantle is remarkably trouble-free and will thrive for years with minimal intervention.