Sidalcea Oberon

Sidalcea 'Oberon' looks like a smaller version of hollyhocks and is interesting for its numerous delicate small cups of satin pink flowers with a lighter centre in summer! It forms a bushy clump with strongly upright stems, adorned with shiny, deciduous, rounded foliage. A tall perennial ideal for the back of romantic borders or cottage gardens. Plant in any good garden soil in sun or partial shade. It is a relatively short-lived perennial that can be treated as a biennial, self-seeding well in moist soil.

The Sidalcea 'Oberon' belongs to the malvaceae family, just like hollyhocks and marshmallows. Its ancestors lived in the meadows and clearings of the American Northwest. This short-lived herbaceous perennial reaches maturity in 2 to 5 years and ensures its perpetuity through many seedlings. This horticultural variety stands out for its erect habit and excellent floribundity. It blooms between July and August, with solid, unbranched stems reaching 80 cm (32in) high, bearing numerous small flowers 5 cm (2in) wide flowers which resemble hollyhocks, with 5 fringed, silky, veined petals. The basal and lobed foliage forms a 45 cm (18in) wide clump of large round, wider than long, toothed and dissected leaves, the leaves on the stems are smaller and narrower. All the foliage is a beautiful bright green.

Place this adorable, hardy perennial in the middle of flower beds, alongside Japanese anemones, paniculate phlox, annual poppies, and perennial delphiniums to create an elegant scene. Its compact habit does not require staking. 'Oberon' sidalcea will thrive in a moist rockery with forget-me-nots and lady's mantle. You can create refined bouquets with its cut flowers. It also grows very well in containers or pots.