Malva alcea aka Pink Mallow

Malva alcea is a herbaceous perennial in the mallow family. Common names include greater musk mallow and hollyhock mallow. It comes from southeastern Europe, Turkey, and the Caucasus. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Records also place it in gardens, vineyards, and waste ground. Its soft growth dies back for winter.

The plant forms a bushy shape with upright or spreading stems. Garden plants reach about 3.3–4.9 feet [1–1.5 metres] tall. They spread about 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre] across. The RHS describes stems reaching 3.9 feet [1.2 metres], sometimes more. Upper leaves have deep cuts and a soft green colour. Bright pink flowers form clusters above the foliage. Each bloom has a broad, shallow, saucer-like shape. Flowers appear over a long season. Plants can take two to five years to reach full size.

Choose full sun and moist soil that drains well. The RHS prefers light soil with moderate fertility. It lists chalk, clay, loam, and sand as suitable soils. Acid, neutral, and alkaline soils all fall within its range. Plants may need support, most of all in rich soil. The RHS gives a hardiness rating of H5. This covers winter lows of about 5–14°F [-15 to -10°C]. Plants can be short-lived. Sow seeds in place or pots in early spring or early summer. Basal cuttings offer another means of propagation in spring.

Use this mallow in flower beds, informal borders, or cottage gardens. The RHS also suggests wildlife gardens and wildflower meadows. Cut down stems after flowering in autumn. Watch for aphids, rust, and leaf spot. Plants For A Future records useful fibre in the stems. This fibre can serve for making cord. The plant and its seed heads also yield dyes. Recorded colours include cream, yellow, and green.

Plants For A Future lists leaves, flowers, and seeds as edible. Eat leaves raw or cooked; they have a mild taste. Their mucilaginous texture gives them a soft, slippery feel. Raw flowers add colour to salads. Raw seeds have a nut-like taste before they fully ripen. Their small size makes harvest slow. The same source records no reports of toxicity for this species. It also records leaf use in soothing preparations and mouthwashes.