Common Name: checkerbloom
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Malvaceae
Zone: 4 to 7
Height: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Description: Light pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy, Good Cut
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.
'Little Princess' was bred in 1994 by Aad Geerlings in Hummelo, The Netherlands from a cross of two unidentified seedling selections of Sidalcea oregana. It was introduced by Future Plants V.O.F. of Noordwijk, The Netherlands. Its bright green basal leaves are rounded, but its stem leaves are deeply-lobed into finger-like segments. It has 1 1/2 in. wide, single-cupped, light pink flowers that are reputed to last about one week on the plant and three to four days as a cut flower. Flowering very freely with up to 600 flowers and flower buds per plant, 'Little Princess' has an upright compact growth habit and grows 1 1/2 to 2 ft. tall and 1 to 1 1/2 ft. wide. U.S. Plant Patent PP#12,629 awarded May 21, 2002.
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.