Malva sylvestris Zebrina - seeds

Great Mallow or Malva sylvestris Zebrina is more biennial than perennial and a feast for the eyes. It produces sturdy stems covered in pale pink flowers which are deeply veined with almost black, purple flames, emerging from dark foliage reminiscent of ivy. This plant is easy to grow in partial shade or full sun and creates a magnificent spectacle throughout the summer, even in the first year of cultivation. It is hardy, tolerates almost all soils, and withstands drought.

Malva sylvestris is a medicinal plant native to fallow lands and sunny woodlands in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It belongs to the mallow family, like marshmallow (Althea officinalis). 'Zebrina' is a top-notch horticultural selection. It is an upright biennial plant measuring 1m (3ft) high when in bloom and occupying 60cm (24in) of ground space. It quickly forms a clump of large, dark green, heart-shaped to rounded, slightly lobed, scalloped leaves. Flowering takes place from June to September depending on the sowing date. The flowers are arranged in well-distributed clusters on sturdy stems, displaying perfect architecture and colour harmony. On the very pale pink background of their 5 notched petals, are veins resembling slender flames, such a dark purple that they appear almost black. The flowering attracts pollinating insects.

The Zebrina wood mallow is ideal in natural areas, on large slopes, or in cottage gardens alongside hollyhocks, hybrid mulleins, or tall thistles.

The great mallow of our countryside is also a food plant. Its young leaves are eaten like spinach in Morocco, prepared with lemon juice. It is a delicious dish and useful for promoting intestinal transit. This plant is also known for soothing burns and digestive disorders. In Mediterranean kitchens, it is used raw in salads. Nowadays, it is used in the preparation of soothing balms.