Checker mallow Sidalcea 'William Smith'
ABOUT
The Sidalcea 'William Smith', commonly known as the checkerbloom or prairie mallow, is an attractive herbaceous perennial with a clump-forming habit. Its appearance is marked by its deeply lobed, palmate leaves that are often mid-green in color, giving a lush look to the basal foliage. As the seasons progress, the plant sends up erect stems topped with delicate, cup-shaped flowers. These blossoms can range in color from soft pinks to rich magentas, each with a darker center which often creates a striking contrast against the lighter petals. The flowers are typically arranged in loose, open spikes, creating a visually pleasing display. The overall impression of the checkerbloom is one of a charming, cottage-garden plant that exudes a wildflower-like charm. It's a popular choice for gardeners who want to add a splash of color to their borders or naturalistic planting schemes.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Malvaceae
Synonyms
Checker Mallow, Checker Bloom, Prairie Mallow, Miniature Hollyhock
Common names
Sidalcea 'William Smith'.
ToxicityTo humans
Sidalcea 'William Smith', more commonly known as Checkerbloom, does not have a well-documented toxic profile for humans. Generally, plants of the Sidalcea genus are not known to be toxic to humans. However, it is always prudent to avoid ingesting any part of plants that are not specifically intended for human consumption as individual reactions can vary and some plants can cause irritation or allergic reactions.
To pets
Checkerbloom is not widely reported to be toxic to pets either. Just as in humans, the general genus Sidalcea is not known for being poisonous to animals. However, caution should be exercised as pets may have individual sensitivities and ingesting non-food plants can sometimes lead to gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting or diarrhea in pets. Always monitor your pets around plants and consult a veterinarian if any adverse reactions occur.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
3 feet (0.91 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Sidalcea 'William Smith', commonly known as prairie mallow, attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects that help with pollination in the garden.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Prairie mallow has showy, cup-shaped flowers that add a splash of color to gardens and landscapes.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care, making it an excellent choice for gardeners looking for low-maintenance plants.
- Drought Tolerance: Prairie mallow is relatively drought-tolerant, making it suitable for gardens in drier climates or for water-conserving landscapes.
- Attracts Wildlife: Besides insects, prairie mallow can attract birds who feed on its seeds, thus supporting local biodiversity.
- Easy to Propagate: It can be easily propagated from seed or division, allowing gardeners to expand their plantings or share with others.
- Long Bloom Period: With proper care, prairie mallow can have a long flowering period, providing lasting beauty throughout the growing season.
- Tolerance of Poor Soil: Prairie mallow can thrive in a variety of soil types, even those that are not particularly fertile.
- Versatile Use: It is suitable for a range of garden designs, including wildflower meadows, perennial borders, and cottage gardens.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Dye production: Sidalcea 'William Smith', or checker mallow, can be used to produce natural dyes for textiles, offering hues ranging from soft greens to gentle purples depending on the mordant used.
- Educational tool: Due to its unique characteristics and attractiveness, checker mallow can be used in educational settings such as schools and nature centers to teach botany and plant biology.
- Floral arrangements: The long stems and bright flowers of checker mallow make it suitable for cutting gardens, and it can be used in both fresh and dried floral arrangements.
- Wildlife garden: As a native plant, checker mallow can be included in gardens designed to attract and support local wildlife, like bees and butterflies.
- Erosion control: Robust root systems of checker mallow make it suitable for planting in areas prone to soil erosion to help stabilize the ground.
- Photography subject: The striking flowers and foliage of checker mallow offer attractive subjects for photographers interested in plant and garden photography.
- Artistic inspiration: Artists may use the checker mallow as a muse for paintings, drawings, and textile designs, drawing inspiration from its form and color.
- Living fences: When planted in rows or clusters, checker mallow can provide a semi-permeable living fence that enhances privacy while adding natural beauty to the landscape.
- Companion planting: Checker mallow can be used in companion planting schemes to create aesthetically pleasing and ecologically balanced garden designs.
- Soil health indicator: The presence and vigor of checker mallow can indicate healthy soil conditions, particularly in its native habitats or well-suited garden environments.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Checker Mallow is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Checker Mallow is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Delicate Beauty: Sidalcea, commonly known as the Miniature Hollyhock, exhibits refined and subtle blooms that symbolize an understated, delicate beauty.
- Fertility: As Miniature Hollyhocks closely resemble their relative, the hollyhock, they often inherit the symbolism of fertility and fruitfulness.
- Abundance: The abundant blossoms of Miniature Hollyhock stand for prosperity and the lavish nature of life.
- Ambition: Just like the hollyhock strives to reach towards the sky with its tall spikes, the Miniature Hollyhock is associated with the desire to achieve one's dreams.
- Survival: Miniature Hollyhocks are known for their hardy nature, symbolizing the ability to withstand different conditions and the power of survival.
WaterThe Checker Mallow should be watered deeply but infrequently, to mimic natural conditions and encourage deep rooting. It's best to provide about 1 inch of water once a week during the growing season, which can equal to approximately 0.623 gallons for a square foot of soil. During hotter and drier periods, increase watering to about twice per week, ensuring the ground is soaked thoroughly to a depth of at least 6 inches. Cut back on water in the fall as the plant prepares for dormancy. In the winter, reduce watering further, only supplying water to prevent the soil from drying out completely.
LightChecker Mallow thrives best in full sun to partial shade. The ideal location is a spot where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day, though it can tolerate some afternoon shade. Avoid deep shade as it can lead to sparse blooms and leggy growth.
TemperatureChecker Mallow can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but performs best when daytime temperatures are within the range of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but growth will be best if such cold spells are brief. The plant may go dormant if temperatures consistently fall outside its comfortable range, especially below freezing.
PruningChecker Mallow should be pruned to remove spent flower stalks and encourage a second bloom. Light pruning can also help maintain its shape and promote more vigorous growth. The best time for pruning is after the first bloom cycle, often in mid to late summer. Deadheading the faded flowers can also be done throughout the growing season to keep the plant looking neat.
CleaningAs needed
SoilChecker mallow 'William Smith' prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter, with a pH of 5.8 to 6.5. A mix of garden soil, peat, compost, and perlite would create an ideal environment for this perennial.
RepottingChecker mallow 'William Smith' should be repotted every two to three years, or when it outgrows its current container, to ensure continued growth and health.
Humidity & MistingChecker mallow 'William Smith' tolerates a wide range of humidity levels but prefers average to high humidity. It does not require any special humidity adjustments for optimal growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright indirect light, water when topsoil dries.
Outdoor
Full sun, well-draining soil, protect from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleSidalcea 'William Smith', commonly known as prairie mallow, begins its life cycle as a seed that germinates in early spring when soil temperatures warm up. The seedling develops a root system and foliage during its first weeks of growth, forming a basal rosette of leaves. As the plant matures, it sends up tall flowering stalks in late spring to summer, bearing attractive pink to lavender flowers that attract pollinators. After pollination, these flowers produce seed pods that mature, dry out, and eventually release seeds into the soil to begin the next generation. During the fall, the above-ground parts of the prairie mallow may die back, but the plant survives the winter as a root system or as a basal rosette in milder climates. In subsequent years, prairie mallow will re-emerge from the perennial rootstock, repeating its life cycle and growing larger each season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Sidalcea 'William Smith', commonly known as checkerbloom or prairie mallow, is often propagated by division, which is the most popular method for this perennial plant. The best time to undertake this task is in early spring or fall when the plant is not in active growth. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the plant, making sure to keep a generous amount of soil around the roots. Identify natural divisions or clumps and gently separate them by hand or with a sharp, clean knife, ensuring each new section has several growth points or shoots and plenty of roots. Once divided, replant the sections promptly at the same soil depth they were originally growing and water them well to help establish the new divisions. This process rejuvenates the plant, helps to control its size, and provides a simple and effective way to produce new plants that are genetically identical to the parent plant.
