One of rare native perennials, because in originally grows as endemit species in Kankakee Region (is not found anywhere else).
Now slowly becoming more popular in garden use. It offers bigger hairy, highly ornamental leaves (6” across). Each flower is 1¼-2½" across, consisting of 5 light pink petals, single flower is short-lived, but the whole plant blooms for respectable time of over 2 months! Wow! Flowers are slightly scented and typical for Malvaceae family (Mallow family).
This perennial is clump-bush forming, but in time can form small colonies by it’s short rhizomes. Kankakee mallow thrives in burned areas, fire helps seed to germinate and regenerate populations.
Sharp looking perennial for borders, pollinator gardens, rain gardens, moist meadows, along streams and ponds, or for naturalizing. It can be used as small flowering shrub, or combined with other perennials like Agastache, Aster novae-angliae, Aster dumosus, Aster novi-belgii, Chelone, Phlox paniculata, Oenothera, Phlox maculata, Physostegia virginiana, Rudbeckia fulgida, Tradescantia, grasses like Panicum virgatum and it’s cultivars etc.
Blooming time : June/July, August, sometimes even in September
Size : 4-6’ high x 3’ wide
USDA zones : 5, 6
Culture: sun, half-sun, half-shade, preferably good loamy soil, rocky soil or sandy soil, but average garden soil should work too
Moisture Needs : medium, medium-moist
Origin: native wildflower to Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, Wisconsin, naturally in Kankakee Region in rocky riverbanks, woodland edges, open rocky woodlands, and abandoned field
Deer/rabbit resistant : no/probably not, needs protection, at least young plants
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators : native bees
Attracts Hummingbirds : no
Pot Size : 3.5" perennial pot (1.22 pt/580 ml)
