When to plant Lady's Mantle?

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.