Rose mallow is a great garden filler. It’s origins are the genus malvaceae (mallow family) and if you are like I am, the mallow family gets rather confusing. There are annual mallows (lavatera trimestris) and perennial mallows (malva alcea) and (hibiscus moscheutos) or Swamp Mallow. Each has their uniqueness and all perform with hordes of blossoms.
Mallows grow from 2 to 5 feet in height depending on variety and readily branch on stiff stems to form a bush. The annual variety is grown from seed while the perennial is grown from either seed or by division. The perennial will easily grow in our zone 5 but will benefit with heavy mulching for sub-zero nights. They prefer a rich garden soil with plenty of moisture and sunshine or a slight shade but will adapt to dry conditions quite readily, even salty conditions — hence the presence along roadways that have both.
The annual pink rose mallow has a deep red throat and a yellow stamen with ruffled petals while the perennial variety of rose mallow (swamp mallow) has a more cupped shape pink blossom and slightly pinker throat with a yellow stamen. These hollyhock-like blooms may reach 10 inches in diameter.
Malva alcea is a bushy perennial variety growing on stout stems to 4 feet with five petal flowers in the leaf axils that bloom over a long period through summer and fall.
All mallows will fit nicely in a garden setting as a mid-range to a backdrop inclusion or even as anchors on the sides. In cottage style or wild gardens, they can be planted as a bed and be quite a conversation piece.
A number of years ago while driving down Main Street close to Plymouth Avenue. I glanced at a small front yard garden that had the most beautiful bed of pink mallow — no more than 2 feet in height and 5 feet square, but so striking that I had to take a second trip around the block to take another look. It is sad that it is no longer there because it spoke volumes to every passerby. Its luminous pink petals that caught the sun’s rays through the giant maples that surrounded the area were indeed special.
If you’re looking for a fast growing “filler” plant that will give you day after day of pleasure then rose mallow is the one. Pink is only one color produced by the mallow family — there is also a red, deep pink, and an alba (white).
I see them all the time in various gardens throughout the area and can’t get over their veracity and blooms. They are virtuously risk free with little upkeep other than water and a rich, moist soil. They’ll give your garden color all summer and fall.
Mallow is often seen in rural farm gardens but for some reason is overlooked too often in our city gardens. It’s one of those mass-bloomers that, like the perennial geranium crane’s bill, doesn’t get the respect it deserves but delivers each year with a mass of color.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Rose Mallow can also be your garden favorite if you have the right spot. TOM YODER | THE GOSHEN NEWS
Finding the perfect filler for your garden
COLUMN: THE DIRT ON GARDENING
- Local News
-
-
Police probe possible fatal crash near Bristol
Elkhart County rescue crews responded to a possible double fatal traffic crash on Ind. 15 just south of C.R. 112 at 9:13 p.m. Friday night. Ind. 15 was closed to non-emergency traffic and a Samaritan medical helicopter landed at the scene to assist with rescue efforts.
-
Goshen teen who shot himself Tuesday arrested for using sawed-off gun in robbery
A 17-year-old male recently admitted to IU Health Goshen Hospital for a self-inflicted gunshot wound has been arrested in connection with the robbery of a BP gas station in Goshen this past Sunday.
-
Wild phlox can be found this time of year
Nature’s bounty can sometimes produce unexpected beauty in the form of wildflowers that can pop up anywhere and everywhere. They can be some of the most exhilarating because of the unusual colors, the delicacy of the blossoms, or simply their choice of location to grow.
-
Rinker Foundation donates $5,000 for new ‘learning’ toys
SYRACUSE — The kids are happy. The teachers are excited. The director is pleased. Best of all, at Lakeland Learning Center is using new educational toys to prepare preschoolers to hit the ground running in kindergarten.
-
Syracuse town manager says changes can be difficult
SYRACUSE — Local residents want to know when the piers will be put in for those who swim near the Oakwood Inn. Other concerns revolve around trees on the property, the new waste management and water bills being sent since the town annexed the area several months ago.
-
DeFries Gardens to host annual art show
The third annual DeFries Gardens, “In the Garden,” Juried Art Show, will take place June 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at DeFries Garden, 17477 CR 46, New Paris.
-
Residents want to see Oakwood revitalized, but how?
SYRACUSE — The receivership status of the Oakwood Inn property in Syracuse expired in April. On Friday, the Kosciuscko County Superior Court I granted that Ian Rolland will continue as the receiver.
-
Goshen grad takes jazz overseas with BSU ensemble
GOSHEN — A Goshen High School graduate feels his recent jazz music tour to China helped him grow as a musician and as a person.
-
City planning to reroof Rogers pavilion
GOSHEN — The historic Rogers Park pavilion that was damaged in an arson fire March 21 will be repaired if zoning and state permits are obtained.
-
Man pleads guilty to robbery
GOSHEN — A Nappanee man pleaded guilty in Elkhart County Circuit Court to his involvement in a March robbery in Nappanee.
- More Local News Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
