Kosteletzkya virginica - VIRGINIA SEASHORE MALLOW
Virginia Seashore Mallow is a perennial with several thick stems rising from the crown; the leaves are hairy and gray. Its very pretty 2-inch pink flowers are reminiscent of Hibiscus. It is a good hummingbird and butterfly plant. It grows well in full sun and average soils that don’t dry out. It usually lives for about 5 years, and when it reaches full size (up to to 5-6’), it’s usually on the decline. Give this plant plenty room and let it self-seed, or collect come seeds.
This beautiful and not-very-common native perennial is very effective in the background of perennial gardens, along bodies of water, or in wet meadows and rain gardens. Can be combined with aquatic plants or in regular flower beds with Aster, Chelone, Helianthus, Iris versicolor, Iris x louisiana, Lobelia, Monarda, Phlox (P. paniculata, P. amplifolia, P. maculata), Physostegia, Solidago, Tradescantia, Vernonia, or non-native plants such as Hemerocallis, Iris, Ligularia, Persicaria amplexiacaulis, Rodgersia, Sanguisorba, etc.
Genus name honors Vincenz Franz Kosteletzky (1801-1887) of Prague, writer on medical botany.
Blooming Time: June/July to October
Size: 4’ tall x 3-4’ wide, even taller in ideal conditions
USDA Zones: 6 to 9, possibly 5
Culture: full sun, average soil that doesn’t dry out, sandy, loam, or heavier soil, including clay
Moisture Needs: moderately moist to wet, shallow water
Origin: Eastern United States, native wildflower that grows in salt and brackish marshes, bogs and swamps (see the USDA distribution map)
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: deer may browse on young shoots / not known
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: yes, offers nectar for butterflies
Attracts Hummingbirds: yes
Pot Size: 3.5" x deep 4'' perennial pot
Kosteletzkya virginica - VIRGINIA SEASHORE MALLOW
Virginia Seashore Mallow is a perennial with several thick stems rising from the crown; the leaves are hairy and gray. Its very pretty 2-inch pink flowers are reminiscent of Hibiscus. It is a good hummingbird and butterfly plant. It grows well in full sun and average soils that don’t dry out. It usually lives for about 5 years, and when it reaches full size (up to to 5-6’), it’s usually on the decline. Give this plant plenty room and let it self-seed, or collect come seeds.
This beautiful and not-very-common native perennial is very effective in the background of perennial gardens, along bodies of water, or in wet meadows and rain gardens. Can be combined with aquatic plants or in regular flower beds with Aster, Chelone, Helianthus, Iris versicolor, Iris x louisiana, Lobelia, Monarda, Phlox (P. paniculata, P. amplifolia, P. maculata), Physostegia, Solidago, Tradescantia, Vernonia, or non-native plants such as Hemerocallis, Iris, Ligularia, Persicaria amplexiacaulis, Rodgersia, Sanguisorba, etc.
Genus name honors Vincenz Franz Kosteletzky (1801-1887) of Prague, writer on medical botany.
Blooming Time: June/July to October
Size: 4’ tall x 3-4’ wide, even taller in ideal conditions
USDA Zones: 6 to 9, possibly 5
Culture: full sun, average soil that doesn’t dry out, sandy, loam, or heavier soil, including clay
Moisture Needs: moderately moist to wet, shallow water
Origin: Eastern United States, native wildflower that grows in salt and brackish marshes, bogs and swamps (see the USDA distribution map)
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: deer may browse on young shoots / not known
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: yes, offers nectar for butterflies
Attracts Hummingbirds: yes
Pot Size: 3.5" x deep 4'' perennial pot