Sidalcea sparsifolia
southern checkerbloom
California and northern Baja California
Overview
Sidalcea sparsifolia is a herbaceous perennial 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall, growing from a woody root crown into clumps of erect, slender flowering stems above a rosette of long-stalked basal leaves. The lower leaves are rounded and shallowly scalloped, while the upper stem leaves are deeply cut into narrow lobes. From spring into early summer the stems carry open spikes of mallow-like flowers, each 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across with five pink to rose-pink petals notched at the tips and a central column of fused stamens. The flowers open from the bottom of the spike upward over several weeks. Native to grasslands, open woodlands, and coastal slopes of California and northern Baja California, it grows in full sun to light shade on a range of soils and tolerates summer drought by going dormant. After flowering and seed set the plant dies back, resprouting from the crown with autumn and winter rains. It needs good drainage and declines in heavy, wet soils. Seedlings and clumps re-establish where conditions suit it.
Native Range
Sidalcea sparsifolia is native to California and northern Baja California, Mexico, in the Coast Ranges, foothills, and valleys of the central and southern parts of the state. It grows in grasslands, open oak woodlands, chaparral edges, and coastal slopes.Suggested Uses
Used in native and pollinator gardens, meadow plantings, and dry borders in its range. The flowers feed bees and other insects, and it mixes with bunchgrasses and other drought-tolerant perennials. Suited to unirrigated California-climate gardens.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Spikes of pink to rose-pink mallow-like flowers, each 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across, open from April to July. The flowers open from the bottom of the spike upward over several weeks. Bees and other insects pollinate them, and dry segmented fruits follow, each splitting into single-seeded sections.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pink to rose-pinkFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Sidalcea sparsifolia grows in full sun to light shade on well-drained soils and tolerates clay, loam, and sandy ground. It is adapted to dry summers and goes dormant after flowering, resprouting with autumn and winter rain. It establishes from seed sown in autumn or from division of the crown in the dormant season. Little to no summer water is needed once established, and excess moisture in heavy soil shortens its life. No fertilizer is required on average soils. Hardy in USDA zones 7-10, it withstands mild coastal and inland California winters.Pruning
Spent flower spikes can be cut back after bloom to limit self-seeding or to tidy the clump. Dried foliage is removed once the plant goes summer dormant. New growth resumes from the crown with autumn rains.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons