Wednesday's Story

It has such a sweet demeanor…

Yet it’s a little dickens (as my mom would say), as it never ends up in the same place in my garden each year. Its seeds blow in the wind and land where they see fit. It’s definitely not concerned with my well laid out plan for my garden. Instead it keeps me on my toes and helps me to learn that not everything has an order. Sometimes it’s about letting go and going with the flow(er).

points of interest

Clump forming plant with rounded, palmate lobed basal leaves that become more deeply lobed on the stem. In early to mid-summer, thick, branched stems arise, bearing racemes of large, funnel-shaped, satin-textured, purple-pink flowers with five fringed petals. Suitable for growing in a mixed or herbaceous border or wild garden. Good cut flower.

general care

Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained, sandy or light soil in full sun. Tolerant of most soils except waterlogged ones. Cut back to encourage another flush of blooms.

friday’s flower fact

Prairie Mallows have the look of their close relative, hollyhock, but not the dominating height and aggressive self-seeding.