Advanced Search Filters

Plant Type
Hardiness Zone
Heat Zone
Sunset Zone
Function
Sun Exposure
Soil Moisture
Water Requirement

ANISODONTEA capensis

Image of Anisodontea capensis

Maureen Gilmer

Family

Malvaceae

Botanical Name

ANISODONTEA capensis

Plant Common Name

Cape African Queen, Cape Mallow

General Description

Cape mallow is an evergreen hybrid shrub with an informal habit. It bears a profusion of small pretty flowers from spring until frost or all year round in warm climates.

Its stems are slender, upright, green or purple and covered with dense hairs. They support fuzzy leaves that are three-lobed, oblong and alternate on the stem. The flowers look a bit like Rose-of-Sharon blooms. They are five-petaled, funnel-shaped and medium to deep red with a dark eye and venation.

Plant Cape mallow in full sun and well-drained soil. Prune it back as needed to produce a bushier plant. It is moderately drought tolerant once established, but looks best with regular water and fertilization; reduce watering in the winter. This mallow is often trained and sold as a tree-like standard.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 8

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    8 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    24"-36" / 61.0cm - 91.4cm

  • Width

    16"-32" / 40.6cm - 81.3cm

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    South Africa

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Xeric/Desert, Drought Tolerant

  • Habit

    Upright/Erect

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Pink, Burgundy

  • Flower Color Modifier

    Bicolor

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green

  • Bark Color

    Green, Purple, Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    Sometimes

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes