Also known as miniature hollyhock (Sidalcea malviflora ‘Purpetta’) is a member of the mallow family like garden Hollyhocks. It is a native of California and the Pacific coast. It is a perennial wildflower with purplish-pink 2″ blooms and about 2-4′ tall. Excellent for cottage gardens and not at all fussy. It will take a sunny position, but will also tolerate a drier, shady location. In its native habitat is grows in grasslands, meadows, forests (oak, redwood, pine or fir), chaparral, etc. suggesting it will take a wide range of aspects and growing conditions. Makes a good cut flower and bees, butterflies and hummingbirds like it. Tough, long lived and tolerant of less than perfect soil. Mine grows under a crepe myrtle tree and gets dripped for 10 minutes twice a week. Blooms in June to July. It sometimes shows up in local nurseries especially the lighter pink variety Sidalcea ‘Elsie Heugh.’ I know of two sources for plants of Sidalcea malviflora ‘Purpetta'(shown above): Annie’s Annuals and Perennials in Richmond and Calfora Nursery in Fulton.
