When Thomas Jefferson noted "French Mallow" on an undated memorandum of cultivated flowers, he was probably referring to Malva sylvestris, a European native with handsome, hollyhock-like purplish-pink flowers. Some Charlottesville gardeners refer to it as "Baby Hollyhock" because of similarities to its more familiar mallow cousin; another common name is "Cheeses Mallow," a reference to the shape of the seed clusters.

Visit Monticello’s Online Shop to check for seeds or plants of French Mallow.

Typical Blooming Dates: May - October

Growth Type: Annual

Color(s): Pink and purple

Location at Monticello: West Lawn

Planting Conditions: Full Sun