Malva moschata

Musk Mallow is the shorter, tougher, bushier cousin of the Hollyhock; both plants are English Cottage Garden classics. Malva bloom profusely beginning in mid-summer when planted in any moderately fertile soil in a sunny location - do try to avoid planting in shade where plants will grow spindly. Flowers have a wonderful scent and are very attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Will self-seed when happy.

Zones: 3 to 8

Family: Malvaceae

Type: Perennial

Height: 24 to 36 in.

Spread: 12 to 24 in.

Exposure: Full sun

Soil Conditions: moist, average

Bloom Time: June to September

Bloom Color: Pink

Native Range: Europe, North Africa

Image Credits:

• Image 1 (blooms) Uoaei1, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
• Image 2 (foliage) Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons