Malva arborea
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Althaea arborea
- Lavatera arborea
- Malva dendromorpha
- Phonetic Spelling
- MAL-vuh ar-bor-EE-ah
- Description
-
Tree mallow can be grown as a biennial, an annual, or if provided proper protection as a perennial. It is typically grown in warmer climates, as it is easily damaged by frost. It grows best in sandy soil and a salty atmosphere. It excretes excess salt through glands on the leaves, so planting in a coastal location will not be a detriment to the plant.
When grown fro seed, the tree can bloom in its first year. The seeds remain viable for years.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: The stems crack easily.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Monc Blanc'
- 'Silver Cup'
- 'Variegata'
- 'Monc Blanc'
- 'Monc Blanc', 'Silver Cup', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Monc Blanc'
- 'Silver Cup'
- 'Variegata'
- 'Monc Blanc'
- 'Monc Blanc', 'Silver Cup', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Malva
- Species:
- arborea
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Biennial
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North Western Europe to Mediterranean
- Wildlife Value:
- The blooms attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and various insect pollinators. Serves as a food source for a variety of butterflies and moths. Bees are attracted to both the nectar and pollen.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- The seeds may be edible.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herb
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
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-
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:
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The seeds are contained in a round, flat capsule and remain viable for years.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The 1-2" flowers are borne in clusters of two or more in the leaf axils. The attractive flowers have dark veins running into a dark center. They bloom in late winter through early summer.
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-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Palmatifid
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Each leaf may have between 5 and 9 lobes. They range in size from 3 to 7 ", spirally arranged around the stem.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Mass Planting
- Small Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
