Kosteletzkya, Genus, pentacarpos, Species,
- Genus & species
saltmarsh mallow
Overview
Kosteletzkya pentacarpos is an upright herbaceous perennial reaching 36-72 inches (90-180 cm) tall and 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) wide, with branching stems clothed in rough, star-shaped hairs. Leaves are triangular to halberd-shaped, 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long, with coarsely toothed margins and a sandpapery surface. From midsummer into fall, the plant bears pink, five-petaled flowers 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) across that resemble those of Hibiscus, each lasting a single day and opening in succession. The fruit is a flattened five-celled capsule, the feature that separates this genus from the many-seeded capsules of Hibiscus. It grows naturally in brackish and salt marshes, tidal shorelines, and wet ditches along the coast, and tolerates saline soils and periodic inundation. The species requires consistently moist to wet ground and full sun; it tolerates short dry spells once established but flowers less and stays shorter in dry sites. In colder zones the top growth dies to the ground each winter and resprouts from the crown in spring.
Native Range
Kosteletzkya pentacarpos is native to the coastal eastern United States, from New York south along the Atlantic seaboard and around the Gulf of Mexico to Texas, with disjunct populations in the Caribbean and parts of southern Europe. It occurs in brackish and salt marshes, tidal flats, and other wet coastal habitats.Suggested Uses
Planted in rain gardens, pond and stream margins, coastal and salt-tolerant borders, and naturalized wet meadows. It suits brackish and saline sites where few flowering perennials persist. Spaced 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) apart in groups or drifts.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 6'
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-8 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
Grow in full sun in consistently moist to wet soil, including brackish and saline sites that most perennials cannot tolerate. The species also performs in ordinary garden beds if watered through dry spells. Established plants withstand brief drought but grow shorter and flower less without steady moisture. No routine fertilizer is needed, and overly rich soil promotes floppy stems. It is hardy in USDA zones 6-9, dying back to the crown in winter and resprouting in spring. Rust and leaf spot can appear in crowded, humid plantings.Pruning
Cut stems to the ground in late winter or early spring before new shoots emerge. Removing spent flower stalks through the season limits self-sowing, which can be prolific in moist soil. Plants need no other structural pruning.Pruning Schedule
Prune: March–April
early spring
Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons