Mallow

Looking like a miniature hollyhock, malva produces pretty flower spikes in blue, pink, purple, or white. It also has attractive heart-shape foliage and is useful among shrubs, in wild gardens, and in mixed borders.

These short-lived plants self-seed but generally do not become invasive. Staking may be required in windy places. Mallows are not fussy about soil, but they do need full sun to do well.

Zones:

3-8

Plant Type:

Perennial

Plant Height:

3-4 feet tall

Plant Width:

2 feet wide

Bloom Time:

Blooms late spring and summer to early fall, depending on variety

Landscape Uses:

Containers,Beds & Borders

Special Features:

Flowers,Attractive Foliage,Cut Flowers,Attracts Butterflies,Drought Tolerant,Easy to Grow

Top Varieties

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'Zebrina' tree mallow

Malva sylvestris 'Zebrina' has 2-inch pinkish flowers brilliantly centered and veined with strong purple. These cluster in the axils of dark green, lobed leaves on shrubby 3-foot stems. Zones 4-8
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Garden Plans

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Summer-Blooming Front Yard Cottage Garden Plan

Plant It With

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Obedient plant

The tubular, rosy-pink flowers of obedient plant are arranged in upright spikes that combine well with the open funnel flowers of mallow. They bloom at the same time and enjoy similar conditions.

Balloon flower

With inflated bell flowers in blue, pink, or white, balloon flower is a fine partner for mallow in a sunny garden.

Globe thistle

The rounded steel-blue flower balls of taller globe thistle present a contrasting flower form with mallow. Both attract butterflies and are ideal in sunny butterfly gardens.

Propagation

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Seed
Division
Stem Cuttings
Leaf Cuttings