Malacothamnus fasciculatus (southern coastal bushmallow)

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Malacothamnus spp.

bushmallows

Malvaceae California and Baja California

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Malacothamnus is a genus of about 20 species of soft-wooded, fast-growing shrubs in the mallow family, native to California and Baja California. Plants form erect, multi-stemmed clumps 3 to 12 feet (0.9 to 3.7 m) tall, with stems and gray-green leaves densely covered in branched (stellate) hairs that give the foliage a soft, felted, grayish look. From late spring into summer the upper stems carry clusters and narrow spikes of cup-shaped mallow flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, in shades of pink, mauve, and lavender. Many species are fire-followers, appearing in abundance from long-buried seed after wildfire and fading as the chaparral closes over again. The genus is drought-tolerant and root-spreading, forming colonies that can spread by underground runners, and the soft stems are short-lived and can look untidy by late summer.

Native Range

Malacothamnus is native to California and northwestern Baja California, where it grows in chaparral, coastal scrub, and oak woodland, often on dry slopes and in canyons. Many species occur on disturbed and recently burned ground. Several have very small natural ranges and are rare in the wild.

Suggested Uses

Grown in native plant gardens, dry slopes, and habitat plantings, and used for quick cover and erosion control on banks. The flowers support native bees and butterflies. Plants are spaced 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) apart and given room for their spreading roots.

How to Identify

Recognized by erect, soft-wooded stems and gray-green leaves thickly coated in branched star-shaped hairs that feel soft and look felted. The pink to mauve mallow flowers, with a central column of fused stamens typical of the family, are clustered along the upper stems in spikes or rounded heads. The felted gray foliage and pink chaparral-borne flowers separate Malacothamnus from related mallows such as Malva and Sidalcea.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 12'

Width/Spread3' - 8'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering runs from late spring into summer, broadly May to August, and longer with some moisture. The cup-shaped flowers open in succession up the stems over several weeks. Bees and other insects work the flowers heavily.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pink, mauve, and lavender

Foliage Description

gray-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 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 clay rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

Reaches mature size in 2 to 4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun and well-drained soil, including dry, rocky, and clay ground, and need little or no summer water once established. Excess summer irrigation shortens the life of these naturally drought-adapted shrubs. The soft stems grow fast and can be cut back hard to keep plants dense and within bounds. Plants spread by root runners and may send up shoots away from the original clump. Rust and whitefly occur but are seldom serious.

Pruning

Pruning is done after flowering or in late winter, cutting the soft stems back by one-third to one-half to keep plants compact and to renew growth. Old, woody, or sprawling stems are removed at the base. Plants tolerate hard renewal pruning.