Key Facts
- Perennial herb in the mallow family Malvaceae
- Showy saucer shaped pink to purple flowers often with darker veins
- Attractive to bees and other pollinators
- Often grown as an ornamental and for edible flowers and leaves
- Tends to self seed and can naturalize in favorable sites
- Prefers well drained soil and tolerates average garden soil
- Grows in full sun to part shade
- Propagated easily from seed and by division
Tall Mallow is a perennial herb in the mallow family with showy saucer shaped pink to purple flowers often marked with darker veins that attract bees and other pollinators. It is grown as an ornamental and for edible leaves and flowers but it tends to self seed and can naturalize in favorable sites.
Identification
Tall Mallow has saucer shaped flowers in shades of pink to purple often with darker veins. Mature plants typically reach about 2 to 4 feet in height and form clumps about 1 to 2 feet across. Bloom time in the northern hemisphere is summer to early fall with flowers appearing from June through September.
Where to grow and best uses
Use Tall Mallow in mixed borders, cottage style beds and pollinator patches where self seeding is acceptable. It performs well in garden beds with good drainage and will naturalize in sunny to partly shaded sites. Avoid planting where volunteer seedlings would be a nuisance near very tidy beds.
Soil light and hardiness
Plant in fertile, well drained soil and avoid waterlogged sites which lead to root loss and reduced vigor. Full sun produces the best flowering while some afternoon shade can help in very hot climates. Reported hardiness is USDA zones 4 to 9 with winter dieback likely in colder zones and more persistent self seeding in warmer zones.
Planting and spacing
Sow seed directly or start indoors and transplant seedlings as needed. Plants are commonly propagated by division and by basal cuttings. Space plants roughly 12 to 24 inches apart to allow clumps to form and to reduce crowding as they self seed.
Watering and after flowering care
Keep soil evenly drained. Overwatering or poor drainage causes root loss and reduced vigor. Deadhead spent blooms to limit self seeding and to keep plantings tidy. Divide clumps to rejuvenate plants and to control spread.
Edibility and safety
Tall Mallow is not generally considered toxic and leaves and flowers are used as an edible garnish. Large amounts could cause mild stomach upset. Check local poison control or veterinary resources before offering the plant to pets or children.
Frequently asked questions
- How fast does Tall Mallow grow?
- Growth rate varies with site and climate. Plants commonly reach the reported mature height of about 2 to 4 feet and form clumps that fill their 1 to 2 foot spread as they establish and self seed.
- Is Tall Mallow invasive?
- It tends to self seed and can naturalize in favorable sites. Deadheading and removing seedlings prevent unwanted spread.
- Are the leaves and flowers edible?
- Leaves and flowers are reported as edible and are used as a garnish. Verify safety with local foraging and veterinary resources before feeding to people or pets.
- What light does Tall Mallow need?
- Full sun to part shade. Best flowering occurs in full sun while partial shade can reduce bloom but improve performance in very hot conditions.
- How do I control self seeding?
- Regular deadheading, removing volunteer seedlings and dividing clumps restricts naturalizing behavior.
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