Malva alcea, commonly known as Greater Musk-Mallow or Cut-Leaved Mallow, is a perennial herb native to a range of habitats including meadows, grasslands, and open woodlands in southwestern, central, and eastern Europe, as well as southwestern Asia. It typically grows to a height of 20-49 inches (50-125 centimeters) with stems that are covered in fine, star-shaped hairs. The plant features lobed leaves and bright pink flowers with five petals, which bloom from summer to early fall and are quite showy, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Greater Musk-Mallow is valued for its attractive flowers and is used in cottage gardens, borders, and wildflower meadows. It is relatively easy to maintain and can be grown from seed or division. This mallow prefers full sun to part shade and does well in a variety of soil types, though it has a particular affinity for well-drained, drier soils. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping. Cultivars like ’Fastigiata’ and ’Alba’ offer variations in flower color and plant form. While generally disease-resistant, Malva alcea can be susceptible to rust and should be monitored for signs of infection. It is also important to note that it can self-seed and spread, so gardeners may need to manage its growth to prevent unwanted naturalization.CC BY-SA 4.0