About
A semi-evergreen subshrub to 1.5m tall, with downy grey-green palmate leaves and stems. Flowers to 7cm in width, pink, lilac-pink or white with purple-magenta veins and eye, produced from late summer to mid autumn.
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, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height1-1.5 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, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants
Native toSW Europe, N Africa
Care notes
CultivationGrow in well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny position. In colder areas, may need protection from very low temperatures and excess winter wet. Also suitable for growing in containers that can be overwintered in an unheated greenhouse. Often short-lived
PruningPruning group 6, Cut down growth in autumn
PropagationPropagate by taking softwood cuttings in spring or by seed sown in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to stem rot, soil-borne fungal diseases and a rust