About
A large, upright herbaceous perennial with downy, greyish-green leaves with three or five lobes. In summer bears open funnel-shaped, long-stalked, purple-pink flowers up to 8cm across.
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
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Shelter from cold winds. Tends to be short-lived
PruningCut stems down to base in autumn
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in spring
Pest resistanceNormally trouble free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to stem rot, soil-borne fungal diseases and rust diseases