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Cape Mallow Wikimedia Commons
Malvaceae

Cape Mallow

Anisodontea capensis

Gentle beauty.

Family
Malvaceae
Genus
Anisodontea
Native to
South Africa
Bloom season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Type
perennial shrub
Height
3-6 ft
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
well-drained, fertile soil
Water
low to moderate
Hardiness
9-11
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Cape mallow can bloom nearly year-round in frost-free climates, producing thousands of small hibiscus-like flowers.
  • The genus name Anisodontea comes from Greek words meaning 'unequal teeth,' referring to the irregularly toothed calyx.
  • Cape mallow is remarkably drought-tolerant once established, making it popular in Mediterranean and xeriscape gardens.
  • In Victorian England, Cape mallow was grown in conservatories as an exotic curiosity from the Cape Colony.
  • The plant is a member of the mallow family, making it a relative of cotton, okra, and cacao.

Color meanings

0

delicacy

1

continuous joy

Uses

  • hedge planting
  • container ornamental