Sidalcea oregana Brilliant

Sidalcea oregana 'Brilliant' is a perennial plant related to hollyhocks which is rarely found in our gardens. It is time to discover this lovely mixed-border plant that also resembles hollyhocks but is smaller and prefers moist soils. It has many small silky-looking, open-cup, bright carmine pink flowers along thin but sturdy stems in summer. These floral spikes dominate a clump of velvety and shiny green basal leaves. Like Delphiniums and tall Phlox, this meadow plant prefers consistently moist but well-drained soils and a sunny exposure.

Sidalcea oregana Brilliant belongs to the Malvaceae family like mallow and marshmallow. It comes from a botanical species named Sidalcea oregana, native to the western part of North America, from Utah to California and British Columbia. Its natural habitat consists of wet environments like marshes and meadows.

The 'Brilliant' variety is a particularly colourful selection. It is a herbaceous perennial plant with a woody taproot, growing in an upright clump that reaches 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28in) high and 35 cm (14in) wide. It blooms in July-August, with hairy, slender but sturdy and unbranched spikes, carrying numerous small flowers that are 4 cm (2in) wide and have 5 fringed petals, which look and feel like satin. The red buds open into flowers which are very vibrant red-pink, or carmine pink veined with red, around a lighter throat with a cluster of white stamens. The basal foliage is composed of round, toothed, and slightly dissected, beautiful shiny dark green leaves.

Place this beautiful cousin of mallows in the middle of flower beds, in a country garden or an English-style garden, with Japanese anemones, paniculate Phlox, annual poppies, and perennial Delphiniums to create an elegant scene. It also thrives in a moist rockery, with columbines and lady's mantles; you can create adorable bouquets with its cut flowers and it also grows well in pots.