Mallow-wort 'Vulcan'

'Vulcan' is an impressive and vibrant annual mallow that produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers in an intense, shimmering shade of deep magenta-red. A particularly beautiful feature is the dark, prominent veins that radiate from the centre of each bloom. Reaching a height of about 90cm, it is a fast-growing plant with a bushy habit and attractive, lobed green leaves. Malope is a hardy annual that is very easy to grow in the UK, often outperforming its more common relative the Lavatera. It is best sown directly where it is to flower in mid-spring. It is not fussy about soil type, provided it is well-drained, and it loves a sunny spot. The flowers are excellent for cutting and are produced in great abundance over a long period. It is a fantastic plant for adding a splash of bold, silk-textured colour to the middle of a cottage garden border or an informal annual meadow.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H3/H4.

Flowering: Jul, Augps,.