Althea cannabina
palm-leaf marsh mallow
Bring height, movement and a touch of wildflower charm to your borders with this elegant, easy-going perennial. With its upright, branching stems and softly hairy, deeply lobed leaves, Althea cannabina creates a graceful vertical shape that works beautifully in informal planting schemes, cottage gardens and wildlife-friendly spaces.
From midsummer into early autumn, delicate lavender-pink cup-shaped flowers appear along the stems, each bloom adding a gentle splash of colour and attracting plenty of interest from pollinators. Its tall, airy habit makes it a lovely choice for the back of flower beds, wall-side borders or adding structure to a relaxed Mediterranean-style garden.
Low maintenance and wonderfully natural in character, this mallow relative needs little attention beyond cutting the stems back after flowering. Like many hollyhock relatives, it can occasionally experience rust, but this rarely affects a healthy, established plant’s performance.
From midsummer into early autumn, delicate lavender-pink cup-shaped flowers appear along the stems, each bloom adding a gentle splash of colour and attracting plenty of interest from pollinators. Its tall, airy habit makes it a lovely choice for the back of flower beds, wall-side borders or adding structure to a relaxed Mediterranean-style garden.
Low maintenance and wonderfully natural in character, this mallow relative needs little attention beyond cutting the stems back after flowering. Like many hollyhock relatives, it can occasionally experience rust, but this rarely affects a healthy, established plant’s performance.
How to care for Althea cannabina:
Althaea thrives in moist, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. It prefers a sunny to partially shaded location and can tolerate a range of soil types, although it does best in rich, loamy soil.
When planting, space at 60cm (24in) apart to allow for their spreading habit. Regular watering is essential, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil consistently moist. In late autumn, cut back the stems to 15cm (6in) to encourage healthy growth the following spring.
Applying a layer of mulch can help retain moisture and protect the roots during winter. As the plants are tall, they may require staking if they are grown in more exposed positions.
When planting, space at 60cm (24in) apart to allow for their spreading habit. Regular watering is essential, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil consistently moist. In late autumn, cut back the stems to 15cm (6in) to encourage healthy growth the following spring.
Applying a layer of mulch can help retain moisture and protect the roots during winter. As the plants are tall, they may require staking if they are grown in more exposed positions.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
2m
Eventual spread:
1m
Position:
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
-
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
