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Mallow Wort Malope trifida

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
mal-OH-pay TREE-fee-duh
Description

Mallow Wort is a flowering annual in the large Malvaceae family, which includes hundreds of plants more commonly known as mallows. It is often used as a border plant, an ornamental, or grown for cut flowers. It is a tall plant, reaching 5 feet high, with a red, trumpet-like flower on a single, stout stem. In the wild, flowers are deep purplish-red, but in cultivation, flowers blossom in shades of white, pink or red.

The Mallow tolerates average soil although compost and occasional fertilizer adds to its health and bloom potential. It tolerates some dryness, but needs regular watering if rain is absent. Removing or deadheading spent flowers encourages new flower growth. Blooms can occur from mid-summer through early fall with maintenance and regular watering as needed. Although an annual in the mid-Atlantic areas, it arose in warmer Mediterranean regions and can be a perennial in tropical climates.

It is readily available as seeds that should be sown after the last frost in the Spring.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#ornamentals#annual flowers#cutting garden#annual#full sun#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#ornamentals#annual flowers#cutting garden#annual#full sun#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Malope
    Species:
    trifida
    Family:
    Malvaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Portugal, Spain, Malta, and northwest Africa
    Distribution:
    Britain, France, central Europe, and southern Russia.
    Wildlife Value:
    pollinator
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are cup shaped, about 2.5 inches long with 5 petals and blossom in solid colors of near white, red and pink.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Shape:
    Orbicular
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are broadly ovate to suborbicular, 3/4 inches long and broad, serrate, sometimes 3 to 5-lobed and nearly glabrous.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies