Malva moschata, rosa

Upright, bushy, and somewhat spreading, forming a leafy mound. It typically reaches a height of 0.6 - 0.9 m (2-3 ft) and spreads about 0.3 - 0.6 m (1-2 ft) wide. It may be short-lived but often self-seeds readily.

Deciduous, deeply cut into narrow, fern-like segments, giving the plant a delicate, airy appearance. The foliage is medium green and often carries a faint musky scent when crushed (hence "Musk Mallow").

Abundant, cup-shaped flowers (approx. 5 cm / 2 inches wide) in lovely shades of soft pink with prominent stamens. The blooms appear continuously from early summer to early autumn (June to September), attracting bees and butterflies.

Thrives in full sun to partial shade. Full sun generally promotes the best flowering and a more compact habit.

Good frost hardiness (USDA Zones 3-8). It reliably overwinters outdoors.

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. It tolerates a wide range of soil types, including poor and sandy soils, as long as they are well-drained. It dislikes wet, heavy clay, especially in winter.

Excellent for cottage gardens, perennial borders, meadow plantings, naturalized areas, and as a cut flower. Its airy texture makes it a good companion plant for bolder perennials.

Low to medium water requirement. Once established, it is quite drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional watering during prolonged dry spells.

Very low maintenance. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming and prevent excessive self-seeding, though some self-seeding can be desirable to maintain a patch. Cut back to the ground in late autumn or early spring.

Containerized plants can be planted year-round, except when the ground is frozen. Bare-root plants are best planted in early spring.