Common Name: checkerbloom
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Malvaceae
Zone: 5 to 7
Height: 2.00 to 2.50 feet
Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Description: Pale pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flower: Showy
Culture
Best grown in consistently moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some light shade. Remove spent flower spikes to encourage additional flowering. Cut back to basal foliage in fall. Appreciates a site protected from strong winds. Prefers cool summers, and generally does not perform well in the hot and humid St. Louis climate.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Sidalcea is a genus of 20-25 species of annuals and herbaceous perennials from Western and Central North America. They are grown for their long bloom of white to pink to pink-purple flower spikes which look like miniature hollyhocks.
Genus name comes from Sida and Alcea, both related genera.
‘Elsie Heugh’ is a prairie mallow hybrid cultivar that features spire-like terminal racemes of small light pink, 5-petaled, hollyhock-like flowers (2-3” diameter). Flowers appear in summer atop stems rising to 3’ tall. Bright green basal leaves are rounded, but stem leaves are deeply-lobed into finger-like segments. Also commonly called checkerbloom.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Foliage may decline and flowering may be interrupted in the heat of the summer, particularly if soils are allowed to dry out. Japanese beetles may feed on the foliage in areas where they range.
Uses
Borders. Cottage gardens.