Chaparral Mallow

Carried by 32 nurseries

Estimated plant range Estimated plant range

Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Plant description

Chaparral Mallow is an attractive evergreen shrub with pale pink flowers that grow on branching, elongated clusters. In full bloom, one plant can have thousands of flowers. It is attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and other small birds.

This plant has a fast growth rate and can reach up to 16 feet tall and 10 feet wide. It is a good choice for bank stabilization and erosion control in larger spaces. In smaller gardens, pruning can help keep it under control.

Plant overview

Plant type

Shrub

Size

3 - 16 ft Tall
10 ft Wide

Form

Rounded

Growth rate

Fast

Dormancy

Evergreen

Fragrance

None

Color

Pink

Flowering season

Spring, Summer

Special uses

Bank stabilization, Deer resistant

Landscaping information

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Low, Very Low

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / month once established

Ease of care

Moderate

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 15° F

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium, Slow

Soil description

Tolerant of a variety of soils as long as drainage is good.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 7.0

Maintenance

If it gets too leggy, prune back in late summer or fall to encourage more compact growth

Propagation

By seeds or cuttings

Natural setting

Site type

Varied, but often found on slopes or canyons from the coast to well inland. Especially common after fire.

Plant communities

Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub, Foothill Woodland

Companion plants

See all

Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.), California Encelia (Encelia californica), Buckwheat (Eriogonum spp.), Hollyleaf Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia), Sage (Salvia spp.), Ceanothus species, Yucca species, Dudleya species, and cactus species