About

A bushy, semi-evergreen sub-shrub, with downy, palmately lobed leaves. Pale blue flowers with dark purple veining through the summer.

About the genus

Malva can be annuals, biennials or perennials, with rounded, often palmately lobed leaves and 5-petalled, open funnel-shaped flowers in the leaf axils or in terminal racemes

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHNeutral, Alkaline, Acid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

CultivationPosition in full sun, in well drained soil. In very cold areas mulch for winter protection.
PruningPruning group 6
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to rust