MAPLE MALLOW

Iliamna rivularis

This plant is common in aspen forests, especially after fire, when it can become very abundant for a few years. It can tolerate full sun or partial shade, and likes rich soil and regular watering in the summer. Its dark green leaves do look like maple leaves, and its pale shell pink to deep rose flowers look like typical mallow family flowers, resembling miniature hollyhocks. Maple mallow is a long-lived plant that requires little maintenance other than trimming back after flowering and clipping to the ground after frost in the fall. The seed heads are quite prickly, so wear gloves when working with plants in seed. Maple mallow blooms for only a few weeks in early summer, but fortunately it makes a fine foliage plant once it finishes flowering. It can be used as a specimen plant, at the back of a perennial bed, or as a tall border. It tolerates watering and combines well with traditional garden plants. In a native garden, it looks quite beautiful planted with sticky geranium, tall larkspur, and leafy jacob's ladder. In autumn, maple mallow leaves turn a clear gold that contrasts nicely with the deep wine red of the geranium leaves.