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Herbaceous Perennial

Malva sylvestris
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

common mallow

An erect perennial that throws up flowering spikes up to 1.5m in height in summer and autumn. Flowers are grouped in the leaf axils and are five-petalled, notched and pink. Leaves are rounded at the base of the plant, but five-lobed on the stems

Other common names
cheese cakes
cheese flower
see morecheeses
high mallow
hock
hock herb
marsh mallow
mauls
maws
round dock
tall mallow

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink Green
Autumn Pink Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Malvaceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
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
Europe, Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Occurs naturally, especially in the south of England, on disturbed ground and grassy verges

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to hollyhock rust and in turn infect cultivated hollyhocks

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