Anisodontea

The Cape Mallow is an easy to grow beautiful upright evergreen subshrub that blooms profusely from spring until frost or all year long in southern temperate climates. The genus name Anisodontea is derived from the Latin for ‘aniso’ which means uneven/unequal and ‘odon’ which means tooth referring to the palmately lobed irregularly toothed leaves. The prolific small showy flowers resemble a small hibiscus ranging from pink to dark purple which bees and butterflies find attractive.

This plant is not picky about soil but it does need good drainage. Once established, modest water requirements make it a colorful addition to a drought-tolerant garden. Cape Mallows prefer morning sun and partial shade in the afternoon.  It can be planted in more heavily shaded areas but does not bloom as much and the stems tend to get scraggly.  A light frost will make the foliage drop but it will usually rejuvenate in the spring, however, it may not survive a severe winter.

The spent flowers will drop off of the plant so deadheading is not needed.  Prune at the beginning of spring to encourage blooming and to maintain a bushier shape.  The dense foliage makes it a good plant to trim into a tree-form topiary specimen. The dwarf varieties are very well suited for container planting. 

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: 

Generally a tough, disease-resistant plant that pests rarely bother. May be susceptible to Puccinia malvacearum (mallow rust).  Watch for aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies.