Anisodontea capensis
Cape mallow
An upright sub-shrub with hairy stems and small, hairy, evergreen leaves. The flowers resemble a small hibiscus, ranging from pale pink to dark red-purple and appear in summer and autumn
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Pink Purple | Green | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Anisodontea are evergreen, woody-based perennials and shrubs with simple or palmately-lobed leaves and saucer-shaped, five-petalled flowers borne in the leaf axils over a long period between summer and autumn
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- South Africa (Cape)
How to grow
Cultivation
May survive outdoors in a sunny, sheltered spot in mild areas but normally grown in a cool greenhouse for summer bedding or as a patio plant. Needs good drainage and full sun
Propagation
Propagate by seed in spring or by semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Mediterranean climate plants
Pruning
Pruning group 9, tip prune young plants to encourage bushiness
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and aphids
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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