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Anisodontea scabrosa

Description

The Pink Mallow is an easy to grow beautiful shrub/groundcover that blooms profusely from spring until frost or all year long in southern temperate climates. This plant is more dense than others species. The prolific small flowers resemble a small hibiscus with showy pink flowers and dark pink center that 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.  It also makes a good groundcover to stabilize steep banks. Pink Mallows flower best in full sun.  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. 

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.

More information on Anisodontea.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Lady's Pink'
    Light pink flowers with dark center
'Lady's Pink'
Tags:
#showy flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#shrub#easy to grow#pink flowers#topiary#fast growing#long bloom time#hairy leaves#pollinator plant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#shrub borders
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Lady's Pink'
    Light pink flowers with dark center
'Lady's Pink'
Tags:
#showy flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#shrub#easy to grow#pink flowers#topiary#fast growing#long bloom time#hairy leaves#pollinator plant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#shrub borders
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Anisodontea
    Species:
    scabrosa
    Family:
    Malvaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Cape Provinces, KwaZulu-Natal
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Fruit Type:
    Schizocarp
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    9-15 chambered fruit
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are small about 1 - 1.5" and are found singly or in pairs at the leaf axil. The 5 petals are two-toned pale pink with dark pink veining towards the base and flower from spring through fall.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Palmatifid
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Dentate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    3-lobed triangular to elliptical palmately veined up to 3" in length with hairs along the veins on both faces. Unevenly toothed leaves are aromatic when bruised and often somewhat sticky. The upper surface of the leaf is hairy and rough.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Partially woody stem. Stems are hairy, bristly, upright and branched changing from green, reddish-brown to a greyish-brown with age.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heat
    Wind