Sidalcea malviflora ‘Rosaly’ seeds – (Prairie Mallow)

Description

Sidalcea malviflora, ‘Rosaly’ has flowers which are  like a miniature hollyhock. It  produces these dainty satiny, pale pink blooms in masses  on long spikes in summer.

It does not take a great deal of care to grow, and is excellent for cutting. To keep it healthy , cut it back hard in autumn. Deadhead to prolong the flowering season.  Propagate by division in spring.

It prefers moist well drained soil in full sun, and does not like to be wet in winter.

It is attractive to bees and butterflies and also slugs and snails , so be ready to hunt the latter down!

Sowing advice

Sow indoors in late winter and spring. Prior to sowing cold stratify ( place in vege compartment of fridge). Place seeds in a plastic bag with damp sand at 4°C. for 4 weeks then sow 2mm deep into moist well-drained seed compost. Cover with a fine layer of compost. Ideal temp. 15°C. Germination takes 14-42 days. Germination can be erratic. repeated cycles of warmth and cold may be required before germination occurs. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle to 8cm pots and grow on in a cold frame. Acclimatise and plant out once danger of frost has passed with 50cm spacing.