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Callirhoe involucrata

winecup mallow

Malvaceae Central United States

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Callirhoe involucrata is a low, sprawling herbaceous perennial that grows 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) tall and trails 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) wide from a deep, fleshy taproot. The stems lie along the ground and root at the nodes, carrying rounded, deeply palmate, five- to seven-lobed leaves 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) wide. From late spring through summer it produces upward-facing, cup-shaped flowers 1.5-2.5 inches (4-6 cm) across in magenta to wine-red, each with five petals and a white spot at the base. The flowers open in sun and close at night and in dull weather, blooming over a long season. It is native to the central United States, from the Great Plains south into Texas, where it grows in prairies, plains, and rocky open ground. The deep taproot makes the plant drought-tolerant once established but also makes it hard to move or divide. It performs poorly in wet, heavy, or shaded sites and can rot where drainage is poor. The trailing stems cover ground slowly and may be cut back if they spread beyond their space.

Native Range

Native to the central United States, from North Dakota and the Great Plains south through Texas, with scattered populations eastward. It grows in prairies, plains, glades, and dry rocky ground.

Suggested Uses

Used as a sprawling groundcover, in rock gardens, on dry slopes, and along the front of sunny borders. It trails over walls and edges and fills gaps between taller prairie plants. The long bloom and drought tolerance suit xeric and native plantings on well-drained soil.

How to Identify

Recognized by trailing stems and rounded, deeply five- to seven-lobed leaves on a low, ground-hugging plant. The cup-shaped flowers are magenta to wine-red, 1.5-2.5 inches (4-6 cm) across, with a small white spot at the base of each petal. The upward-facing chalice form and sprawling habit separate it from upright mallows and from poppies of similar color.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 1'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Spring Summer

Blooms from late spring through summer, often May to August, and longer with occasional moisture. Each cup-shaped flower lasts a day or two, opening in sun and closing at night, with new flowers following over many weeks. Flat, segmented seed capsules form after bloom.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

magenta to wine-red

Foliage Description

medium green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand rocky clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun on well-drained sandy, loamy, rocky, or clay soils across a pH range of about 6.0-7.5. The deep taproot makes established plants drought-tolerant, so little or no supplemental water is needed once settled. It is hardy in USDA zones 4-8 and withstands heat, cold, and wind. Wet, poorly drained, or heavily shaded sites cause crown and root rot. Because of the taproot it transplants poorly, so young container plants or direct-sown seed establish more reliably. Trailing stems can be trimmed back to keep the plant within bounds.

Pruning

Trailing stems can be cut back during the season to limit spread or to remove tattered growth. Shearing after the first flush encourages fresh foliage and repeat bloom. Old growth dies down in winter and is cleared in late winter before new shoots appear.

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic