© Elizabeth Gandy, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Kosteletzkya spp.
Warm-temperate and tropical coasts (E/S USA, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Africa, Asia)
Overview
Kosteletzkya is a genus of about seventeen species of perennial herbs and subshrubs in the mallow family, Malvaceae, found in coastal and wetland habitats of warm-temperate and tropical regions. One species, K. pentacarpos (seashore mallow), forms upright, branching clumps 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) tall with rough, arrow-shaped to lobed leaves 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long on bristly stems. From midsummer to autumn the plants carry five-petalled, hibiscus-like flowers 1.5-3 inches (4-7.5 cm) wide in shades of pink to rose, each lasting a day and opening in succession over many weeks. Flat, five-segmented seed capsules follow. Many species tolerate brackish water and saline soils, growing wild along the edges of salt and freshwater marshes. Kosteletzkya withstands wet, salty ground that few perennials accept but needs full sun and can flop or grow leggy in shade or overly rich soil. The clumps die back to a woody crown in winter in temperate climates.
Native Range
Kosteletzkya occurs in warm-temperate and tropical regions, including the eastern and southern United States, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Africa, and parts of Asia. K. pentacarpos grows along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America in salt and brackish marshes, while other species occupy inland wetlands and damp grassland.Suggested Uses
Kosteletzkya is used in rain gardens, pond and marsh margins, coastal plantings, and other wet or saline sites where many perennials fail. Its long bloom suits naturalistic and wildlife gardens, drawing bees and other pollinators. The tall, lax stems and free self-seeding make it less suited to small, formal borders.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 6'
Width/Spread2' - 4'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pink to roseFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plants grow in full sun on moist to wet soils and tolerate brackish water, clay, and periodic flooding that drowns most perennials. They also grow in ordinary garden soil if kept moist, though they flower less and flop in shade or on dry ground. Established plants are salt-tolerant and need little care beyond steady moisture. K. pentacarpos is hardy to roughly 0F (-18C), dying back to a woody crown each winter and resprouting in spring. Excess fertiliser produces tall, weak stems at the expense of flowers. Plants self-seed readily where conditions suit them.Pruning
Dead stems can be cut to the ground in late winter or early spring before new shoots emerge. Cutting plants back by a third in early summer produces shorter, bushier growth and reduces flopping. Removing developing seed capsules limits self-seeding.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winterearly spring
Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons