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Herbaceous Perennial

Sidalcea malviflora
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

checkerbloom

A slightly spreading or upright perennial to 1.2m in height, with rounded shallowly-lobed, mid-green basal leaves and deeply lobed stem leaves. Bears funnel-shaped pink or lilac-pink flowers 5cm across, in racemes in early and midsummer

Other common names
chequerbloom
Greek mallow
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral, Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Malvaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Sidalcea can be annuals or perennials, forming a clump of rounded or palmately lobed basal leaves, with erect stems bearing more deeply divided leaves and terminal racemes of 5-petalled mallow-like flowers

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich moist but well-drained light, sandy neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed in autumn or spring, or propagate by division in autumn or spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Cut back stems hard after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slug damage

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust

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