Kitaibela vitifolia
Balkan mallow, Kitaibel's vine leaf mallow
Also known as Kitaibelia vitifolia
- Height × spread
- 2m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This handsome plant has erect stems and lobed vine-like leaves with a matt, crinkled surface. The plant rises up to a substantial clump and flowers from July through to the autumn, producing rounded looking five petalled flowers, each petal distinct and separate and surrounding a prominent golden yellow centre. Flowers in shades of white to red are cast in the typical mallow style, rather small in relation to the plant. This plant is ideal for a wild garden. It needs a damp spot in good rich soil in sunshine or part shade. They are often short lived and stand around 2m (7ft) high with a spread of around 1m (3ft).
- Flower colour
- Red, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cone
- Height
- 2m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Small scale garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.