Aug 21, 3:55 AM

PlantFiles: Scarlet Mallow
Pentapetes phoenicia

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Family: Sterculiaceae
Genus: Pentapetes (pen-ta-PET-eez) (Info)
Species: phoenicia

2 members have or want this plant for trade.

Category:
Annuals
Tropicals and Tender Perennials

Height:
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)

Spacing:
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade

Danger:
Unknown - Tell us

Bloom Color:
Red

Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall

Foliage:
Dark/Black
Bronze-Green

Other details:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings

Soil pH requirements:
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Propagation Methods:
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost

Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds

Profile:

No positives
1 neutral
No negatives

Gardeners' Notes:

Rating	Author	Comment
Neutral	SW_gardener	On Jan 18, 2007, SW_gardener from (Steven) Southern, ON (Zone 6a) wrote: Quoted from Garden Store 'N' More "This deliciously rare old-world tropics annual was introduced by Jefferson he sowed seeds of this tender annual along his Roundabout flower border in 1811, calling it "Scarlet Mallow." This handsome plant of the Old World Tropics, rarely cultivated in America, has brownish-green stems and scarlet, mallow-like blossoms that open at noon and close at dawn. Direct sow or transplant to a sunny location after the last frost. Grows to five feet. Multi-branching with a strong, upright central stem, it bears interesting & attractive long narrow foliage. Easy to grow & tolerant of wet or dry soils, this lovely rarity may very well act as perennial in warmer temperate climates."

Regional...

This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:

Gilroy, California
Barbourville, Kentucky

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