Culture
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Remove spent flowers to encourage continued bloom. A short-lived perennial that is often grown as a biennial. Self-seeds in optimum growing conditions and comes true from seed. Generally dislikes hot and humid St. Louis summers.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Malva moschata, commonly called musk mallow, is native to Europe and Northern Africa, but has naturalized in fields and along roadsides over large parts of North America. An erect, bushy perennial which typically grows 2-3' tall and features musk-scented, rose-pink flowers (to 1.25" diameter) which appear in succession over a long bloom period of early summer to early fall. Each flower has five, notched, wedge-shaped petals and a small column of center stamens. Flowers appear singly or in clusters in the upper leaf axils. Small, finely-divided stem leaves which are shallowly cut into 5-7 segments are a distinctive characteristic of this plant. As with the flowers, the foliage is also musk-scented, particularly when crushed.
Forma alba has white flowers.
Genus name is an ancient Latin name.
Specific epithet means musky.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Japanese beetles can be a problem.
Uses
Perennial borders, wild gardens, cottage gardens or naturalized plantings.