Alchemilla

Alchemillas produce frothy billows of greeny-yellow flowers in summer, above compact mounds of rounded leaves. These catch raindrops, making them appear jewelled after a downpour. Alchemillas are herbaceous perennials, so they die down in autumn but reappear in spring.

Alchemillas are hardy, easy-going plants that are happy in sun or partial shade, in most soil types.

They dislike waterlogged or very dry conditions, prefering slightly moist but free-draining soil.

Alchemillas are unaffected by most pests – slug and snails avoid their downy leaves, and even rabbits and deer usually turn up their noses at them. So alchemillas are a great choice if your garden is badly affected by any of these creatures.