Malva alcea

RHS Plant Profile

greater musk mallow

RHS

Other common names

hollyhock mallow, vervain mallow

Herbaceous Perennial

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A perennial with erect or spreading stems to 1.2m, sometimes more. Upper leaves usually very deeply divided, soft green. Bright pink, saucer-shaped flowers, in clusters and produced over a long flowering season. Flowers and leaves similar to those of the native M. moschata, but on a much taller plant

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Malvaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
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
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: SE Europe, Turkey, Caucasus

How to Grow

Cultivation

Prefers to grow in light, well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun. It is likely to need support especially if grown on rich soils - see staking perennials. Can be short-lived

Propagation

Propagate by seed. Sow in situ or in containers in early spring or early summer. Take basal cuttings in spring, see softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildlife gardens
Wildflower meadow
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Prune back flowered stems in the autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to rust and leaf spot