Malva sylvestris var. mauritiana 'Mystic Merlin' (Mallow 'Mystic Merlin')

Botanical name

Malva sylvestris var. mauritiana 'Mystic Merlin'

Other names

Mallow 'Mystic Merlin', High mallow 'Mystic Merlin', Tree mallow 'Mystic Merlin', French hollyhock 'Mystic Merlin', Cheese flower 'Mystic Merlin'

Genus

Malva Malva

Variety or Cultivar

'Mystic Merlin' _ 'Mystic Merlin' is an erect, bushy biennial or short-lived, woody perennial with rounded to heart-shaped, lobed, dark green leaves and, from summer into autumn, upright stems bearing open funnel-shaped, veined flowers in shades of violet, purple, mauve, and blue.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Prostrate, Erect flower stem

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Colour

Flower

Violet, Purple, Blue, Mauve in Summer; Purple, Blue, Violet, Mauve in Autumn

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest-free.

Specific diseases

Leaf spot , Rust

General care

Pruning

Cut back after flowering.

Propagation

Sow seed in situ or in containers in early spring or early summer.

Propagation methods

Seed, Basal cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Malva sylvestris var. mauritiana 'Mystic Merlin' (Mallow 'Mystic Merlin') will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Wildlife, Wildflower, Low Maintenance, Cottage/Informal, Bees (attract & feed bees), Beds and borders

Cultivation

Plant in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sunny position. Often short-lived but will self-seed freely.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Well-drained, Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Malva sylvestris var. mauritiana 'Mystic Merlin' (Mallow 'Mystic Merlin')

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Malva sylvestris var. mauritiana 'Mystic Merlin' (Mallow 'Mystic Merlin')

Common pest name

cotton mealybug

Scientific pest name

Phenacoccus solenopsis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Watching brief for potential impact on tomato production in the Mediterranean. Other southern European countries likely to be more at risk. Precautionary action will be taken on findings on planting material to protect glasshouse crops and botanical gardens.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Malva sylvestris var. mauritiana 'Mystic Merlin' (Mallow 'Mystic Merlin')

Common pest name

Sugarbeet webworm; Weevil; Australian tomato; Weevil; vegetable

Scientific pest name

Listroderes costirostris

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Awareness needs to be maintained due to the risk of entry as a 'hitchhiker' and monitoring of the pest in countries where it is known to be present.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/