Anisodontea

Anisodontea or Cape Mallow is another plant I would never have thought of planting myself but which I have grown rather fond of. My mother gave it to me 2021. It had been grown from a cutting as an indoor plant in cold Ulm, Germany.

When we came here I planted it in the garden, but during its first two summers in a rather poor spot, it never grew beyond its puny 20cm. During the garden “re-do” last fall it was replanted in a new spot and better soil. There it has quickly grown to about half of its maximum height (1-2 meters) and become quite a little bush.

Anisodontea capensis or Cape Mallow blooms from spring to winter with pretty rose, pink or mauve-colored mallow flowers. It is easy to grow in ordinary, well-drained, dry and chalky soil, and likes full sun exposure. Once fully established (after about 2 years) it is quite drought-resistant and needs little additional watering, if any. It will, of course, flower better and longer, with a little regular water. Mulching also helps.

Likes to get some compost in spring. Cutting off faded flowers will encourage new flowers and pinching the stems regularly will stimulate branching. In late winter shorten the branches about 1/3 to encourage quick, dense growth and flowering.