Overview

Sidalcea 'Sussex Beauty' is a perennial in the genus Sidalcea, part of the Malvaceae family. Sidalcea 'Sussex Beauty' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and neutral and alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include borders, cut flowers and meadows.

About

Sidalcea 'Sussex Beauty' is a cultivated mallow in the genus Sidalcea (family Malvaceae) notable for flowering in June to August. It sits within the group commonly referred to as checkermallows or prairie mallows. The plant produces erect flowering stems arising above clumps of toothed basal leaves, bearing mallow-type, five-petalled blooms.

About the genus

Sidalcea is a genus of the botanical family Malvaceae. It contains several species of flowering plants known generally as checkerblooms or checkermallows, or prairie mallows in the United Kingdom. They can be annuals or perennials, some rhizomatous.

Wikipedia contributors, "Sidalcea", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Sidalcea

In the garden

Sidalcea 'Sussex Beauty' belongs to the genus Sidalcea within the mallow family Malvaceae; members of this genus are often called checkermallows or prairie mallows. Sidalcea species originate from west and central North America and include both annual and perennial forms, with some taxa spreading by rhizomes. Growth habit in Sidalcea involves a rosette of toothed basal leaves that sends up erect flowering stems in mid to late summer; the flowers are mallow-shaped with five petals and arranged in terminal racemes. Flowering for Sidalcea 'Sussex Beauty' is concentrated from June to August. Because the genus includes different life‑histories, labels and plant information should be checked to confirm whether a given selection is perennial or an annual form. In the UK landscape, plants in this group have a history of use in prairie-style schemes and summer borders where tall, airy flower spikes are required. Planting with other summer-flowering perennials that leave space for upright stems will highlight the racemes. Expect Sidalcea 'Sussex Beauty' to produce its characteristic five-petalled, mallow-type flowers on terminal racemes through June to August.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Sidalcea

Sunlight

full sun, partial shade

Soil type

loam, sandy, clay

Soil pH

neutral, alkaline

Soil moisture

moist,well-drained

Exposure

sheltered, exposed

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Sidalcea 'Sussex Beauty' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

perennial

Suggested uses

borders, cut flowers, meadows

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Sidalcea 'Sussex Beauty'

Cultivation

Prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming.

Pruning

Cut back after flowering to maintain shape and encourage fresh growth.

Propagation

Seed, division in spring or autumn

Frequently asked questions