Mallows are very popular in local gardens. Because they are easy to care for and enchant with their many different colors. In addition, there are many different types and varieties of mallow, so that a bed with them never looks boring.
In a nutshell
- all types of mallow are easy to care for
- bee-friendly plants because of their profuse flowering
- Mallow species differ in longevity, growth height and width as well as flower color
- there are around 30 species of mallow
- not all mallow species are native to Europe or can be cultivated here
Table of contents
- mallow species
- Horse mallow (Alcalthaea suffrutescens)
- Mug mallow (Lavatera trimestris)
- Wood mallow (Lavatera x olbia)
- Musk Mallow (Malva moschata)
- Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
- Rose mallow (Malva alcea)
- common mallow (Malva neglecta)
- Wild mallow (Malva sylvestris)
- frequently asked Questions
mallow species
The mallow, scientifically Malva, is a genus of plants from the mallow family. With its eye-catching flowers and its diverse uses in naturopathy and the kitchen, the colorful plant has a deserved place in the garden. But not only in the garden, but also in meadows, on roadsides and in the wild you can find different types of mallow.
Tip: The flowers of the different types and varieties offer butterflies, wild bees and other insects rich food source.
Horse mallow (Alcalthaea suffrutescens)
The Bastard Mallow is a perennial species. The bastard mallow is a deciduous plant that prefers a sunny spot. The different varieties differ in growth and flower color.
roundabout
- Grows slender and upright
- Flowering from July
- Flower color dark pink
- strongly scented
- hardy
poetry
- clump-forming and bushy growth
- Flowering period from June to August
- cupped pink flowers
- pleasantly scented
- hardy
park peace
- bushy and clump-forming
- Flowering period from June to August
- Flower color light pink
- pleasantly scented
- hardy
Mug mallow (Lavatera trimestris)
The cup mallows are annual plants that can be planted directly in the bed or in a garden from May bucket on the balcony can be sown. The location should be sheltered from the wind and sunny. Mug mallows are also called cut flowers suitable.
Mont-Blanc
- upright growth
- Flowering period from May to October
- white, large flowers
pink beauty
- upright growth
- Flowering period from May to October
- Flower color pink
Wood mallow (Lavatera x olbia)
The bush mallows are well frost-tolerant, perennial perennials. They need a partially shaded up sunny location as well as a humus-rich, nutrient-rich and permeable soil.
barnsley
- bushy and upright growing
- Flowering time from July to November
- Flower color light pink
- palmate green summer foliage
Burgundy Wine
- Grows clump-forming, upright and bushy
- will be 130 centimeters high and 80 centimeters wide
- Flowering time from July to November
- Flower color crimson
Eye catcher
- upright growth
- Flowering period from June to October
- Flower color pink
- grey-green heart-shaped leaves
Frederique
- upright growth up to one meter
- Flowering period from June to October
- flower color white
Musk Mallow (Malva moschata)
Musk mallows are perennials that spread a pleasant scent. To grow, they need a sunny location and nutrient-rich, lime-free and well-drained soil. Musk mallow is hardy.
Variety Alba
- bushy, small growth
- up to 80 centimeters high and 50 centimeters wide
- Flowering period from June to September
- flower color white
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
The marshmallow is a plant from the mallow family (Malvaceae). Okra is originally from India and is native to the tropics and subtropics. But the plants are also very popular here.
- produces pod-shaped green fruits
- these can be used as vegetables in the kitchen
- Harvest time in June
A notice: The okra pods are purely useful plants. The fruits can be used in many ways and are particularly popular in the Mediterranean region.
Rose mallow (Malva alcea)
The rose mallows are perennial and hardy perennials that bloom in different colors. The following variety is also worth mentioning because of its decorative appearance.
Variety Fastigiata
- upright and low growing
- Flowering period from June to September
- Flower color dark pink
- round leaves
A notice: Many varieties and types of mallow still have their natural charisma and therefore fit well in one cottage garden.
common mallow (Malva neglecta)
The Wegmalve is also known under the name field mallow, as it prefers to grow along the edges of the fields. The herbaceous plant is usually annual. Since this is a predominantly wild-growing mallow species, there are no other varieties in this species group.
- very small growth of 15 to 60 centimeters
- Flowering time from June to November
- Flower color white or pink
- Flowers are bag-like in shape
Wild mallow (Malva sylvestris)
Although the wild mallow was originally native to southern Europe and Asia, it can also be found in Central Europe today. It grows wild up to an altitude of 1800 meters. Here it prefers the vicinity of fences and roadsides or it grows in a sparse forest. The plant is a biennial and hardy perennial.
- herbaceous growth
- grows up to 125 centimeters high
- Flowering period from May to September
- Flower color violet
- Due to its original appearance, it is well suited for cottage gardens
A notice: In the local latitudes, the common mallow and the wild mallow are the most common types of mallow in the wild. In local gardens, these mallows are usually less cultivated. This is where the other varieties presented often come into their own.
frequently asked Questions
Depending on the type and variety, the mallows can be used both in the garden bed and in the raised bed or in a tub on the patio or cultivated balcony become. Since some of the species are not hardy, pot cultivation is a good idea to bring them to a frost-free place in winter. Hardy mallows, on the other hand, can be planted anywhere if the location is sunny.
Mallows are not poisonous and the flowers can be eaten. The mallow blossoms even have an anti-inflammatory, soothing and wound-healing effect. For this purpose, the flowers and leaves are dried and then brewed into a tea. Mallow tea is already commercially available from various manufacturers. The colorful flowers look decorative on a salad or other food and can also be eaten here.
Hollyhocks (Alcea) and hibiscus, also known as marshmallow (Hibiscus), are not a species of mallow, even if both plant species belong to the mallow family (Malvaceae) belong. The two species are therefore only close relatives of the mallows.
As a rule, mallows cannot be confused with other plants. Confusion can only occur with the individual types of mallow among themselves. However, this poses no danger as all species are non-toxic and accidental consumption is therefore not dangerous. However, it may be that one or the other flower does not suit your own taste. As a rule, the wild and the common mallow are used for consumption because the effect here has been known for hundreds of years.
