Mallow (Checkerbloom, Checkermallow, Prairie Mallow)
Sidalcea species and hybrids. MALVACEAE.
Planting and Growing Mallow
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow mallow in the accompanying table’s tabs:
-
- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of mallow
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for mallow
- Season of bloom and planting time for mallow
- When, how deep, and where to plant mallow
- How to plant mallow
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of mallow
- Landscape and container uses of mallow
- Comments about mallow and its features
Growing Mallow
About 20 species of erect or spreading, hollyhock-like, fibrous or rhizomatous, deciduous annual or perennial herbs, 2–4 ft. (60–120 cm) tall. Textured, deep green, round, lobed leaves, 3–8 in. (75–200 mm) long.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Many pale to deep pink, purple, round, 5‑petaled, scalloped flowers, 3/4–2‑in. (19–50‑mm) wide, in whorled spiking clusters, in early summer, depending on species.
Best Climates
Hardy. Zones 4–10.
Soil Type and Fertility
Wet to moist, well-drained loam. Fertility: Rich–average. 6.5–7.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring, zones 4–7; autumn, zones 8–10, in full sun to partial shade, 18–24 in. (45–60 cm) apart.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep moist; allow soil surface to dry between waterings. Drought tolerant. Fertilize quarterly. Stake. Propagate by division, seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for accents, borders, massed plantings in cottage, meadow, natural gardens. Disease resistant. Aphid susceptible.