grassroots Horticulture : Mallows

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Gardening for Wildlife and Color

CREATING impact

The mallow family (Malvaceae) has many striking plants including hibiscus and Althea.

Althea officinalis is known by the common name marsh mallow and the derivation for the name given to the confectionery treat, marshmallows.

Hibiscus

Texas Star Hibiscus

The leaves of Texas Star Hibiscus are digitate and resemble cannabis leaves.

Japanese lantern (Hibiscus schizopetalus)

Althea

Globe-Mallow

Globe Mallow (Spaeralcea)

okra

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

This year our okra has had a slow start but this heat and humidity loving plant should start taking off with temperatures in the nineties.

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Malvaviscus

Texas Mallow, Mexican Apple, Sleeping Hibiscus, Bleeding Hearts, Manzanita (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii)

This spreading perennial or shrub grows to a height of 2-3 ft. It has bright-red (sometimes pink or white), pendant, hibiscus-like flowers. Their petals overlap to form a loose tube with the staminal column protruding and is said to resemble a Turkish turban, hence its most common name, Turk's Cap.

Turk's cap (Malvaviscus drummondii)

Drought tolerant. Prefers partially shady sites. Under cultivation, Turk’s Cap will adapt to and thrive in many different sites, including full sun and heavy soil, though unremitting sun will cause its leaves to become smaller and somewhat distorted.

Turk's cap (Malvaviscus drummondii)

Turk's cap (Malvaviscus drummondii), pink

Turk's cap, seed pod

edible

Callirhoe

Winecup
Winecup, also known as poppy mallow (Callirhoe), is a beautiful silky wildflower
blooming during the middle of the spring season in our 7b hardiness zone.
The sun was very bright when I took these photographs.

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~ Grassroots Horticulture ~