The author of the text is MSc. Barbara Bogacz
Marshmallow Althaea, popularly known as mallow, as a genus occurs in Central and Eastern Europe and in Mediterranean countries. It belongs to the Malvaceae family.
Representatives of this family (marshmallow, neglected and wild mallow, thurigan mallow) are often found on meadows, lawns and in ditches, not always realizing that they are related to the well-known mallow .This, in turn, is a multi-species hybrid with a predominance of Chinese and Siberian species Althaea rosea and Althaea ficifolia.An interesting fact is that the well-known cotton belongs to the same family.
Garden Mallow is strongly associated with the landscape of the former Polish countryside.Paintings by 19th-century painters are known, showing charming views of thatched huts with ubiquitous soaring hollyhocks in the foreground. Their extremely colorful flowers are clearly visible against the white background of the walls.
Mallow cultivation does not have to be limited to country gardens.These charming plants can also be planted in cities. The most important thing is that they have a position sheltered from the wind, rich and permeable substrate (sandy and clay) with a pH of 6-7 and plenty of sun.
Mallow planting and care
We can try to get the seedlings ourselves. The purchased seeds are sown in June and July for an inspection, on a seedbed or in boxes, preferably rarely, then no quilting will be needed. When the seedlings produce 2-3 leaves, we can immediately transplant them with a large root ball to a permanent place in the garden, preferably 40-50 centimeters away.
Mallow has a strong tap root and subsequent replanting is not recommended. It is considered a two-year plant and is treated as such in cultivation.In the year of sowing, only wide leaves appear, and in the following year the plant produces a high inflorescence shoot.It grows up to 2 meters (or even more) and often requires support, because in strong winds the stems stick out or even break.
Sometimes the plant renews itself for several years, but then it blooms less.Malwa spreads very easily, wandering around the garden and appearing in the least expected places.It crosses easily, so we can look forward to completely new varieties from our own breeding.
Mallows can be used in various ways, planting them not only against the wall of the house, but also along the fence and hedge, or on the lawn in a group. It should also be remembered that the marshmallow, due to its impressive shape, does not cover the sun with accompanying plants.
Division of malw varieties
According to the strength of growth and flower structure, growers divided mallow varieties into:
• 'Compacta' - characterized by a very vigorous growth (up to 3 meters high) and full flowers with external sepals longer than internal ones, creating a kind of ruff,
• 'Chatera' - similar to the previous ones, smaller (up to 1.8 meters), they form very dense and compact inflorescences,
• 'Scottish' - flowers full, very large, with petals of the same length and growth up to 2.2 meters,
• 'Fimbriata flore pleno' - semi-double or full flowers, quite rarely attached to the stem, characterized by jagged or cut petals.
Mallow varieties differ not only in structure, but also in color of flowers: from white, through yellow-green, pink and red, to almost black.
Orthodoxy, apart from its undoubted beauty, has long been known and appreciated in medicine.They contain mucilage (a mixture of polysaccharides), asparagine and pectin, substances used in the treatment of cough and in diseases of the digestive system.
In addition, dyes obtained from dark varieties are used in the food industry to dye and improve the color of wines.Malwa is also used as a flavor additive to herbal teas. It is distinguished by a very delicate flavor and mild fragrance.
