Perennial Mallow - a tall plant (80–120 cm) grown on flower beds, lawns, in front gardens, etc. Breeders bred several of its varieties - terry, semi-double and simple. The latter has five-petalled, bright flowers. The intensity of their color towards the center decreases slightly. Terry and semi-double varieties have large multi-petal flowers with a diameter of up to 12 cm.
Mallow, the cultivation of the seeds of which is considered the most acceptable, is an unpretentious plant. It can be planted on almost any soil. However, it is better if it is loose and permeable. Seeds are sown in early May according to a 50x50 cm pattern. They need to be buried in the ground by 2-3 cm. This plant does not tolerate transplants, and therefore you need to immediately choose a permanent place for it.
The first sprouts appear in two weeks. At the very beginning, they develop rather sluggishly, and therefore they must be weeded. Otherwise, the weeds will easily drown out the seedlings. In the first year, the mallow does not bloom, but releases a rosette of large leaves. Of these, stalks with spike-shaped flowers located at a height of about one meter from the soil surface grow next summer.
It is better if the landing site is sunny - this is the best option for a plant such as mallow. Growing from seeds is not the only method of propagating it. You can do this by dividing the bush, but only if it is old enough. This method is not very popular, but sometimes it is still used by gardeners. In this case, you need to make half a bucket of manure or humus for each new bush.
Mallow, growing from seeds or dividing a bush which can begin in early spring, is not at all afraid of frost. However, in the first year of flowering for the winter, it is better to cover it with spruce branches. You can also use dry grass or fallen leaves. This is practically the only plant whose faded stems are not cut in autumn. The fact is that they trap snow, and this allows the mallow to winter better. They are harvested only in the spring, leaving a small part of the stem - about 5 cm from the soil surface.
Due to its height, this plant is often used to hide any unsightly structures - fences, walls of sheds, etc. The black mallow is especially beautiful, the photo of which can be seen on the left. This is a two-year-old variety, but with good care it can grow in the garden for up to 10 years or more.
For bouquets take stems with buds. Flowers bloom already in a vase. They need to be cut so that the height of the remaining stem above the ground is at least forty centimeters. Then the plant will develop better. Waterlogging mallow does not tolerate, and therefore requires watering only in the driest periods. Seeds begin to be harvested in June. You can do this every 2-3 days, as the flowers bloom very quickly. Next, the seeds must be very carefully dried in a dark room at a temperature of at least 35 degrees, otherwise they will grow moldy.
Mallow, growing from seeds of which is not difficult, can decorate absolutely any area. She feels great in the southern regions, and in the middle zone of Russia, and in Siberia.