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Phymosia umbellata

Phymosia umbellata
Mexican Bush Mallow

5,0/5
3 reviews
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Size as ordered, looks healthy, planted immediately, hoping it will thrive!

AnnaEli, 18/03/2024

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

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Value-for-money
A Mexican bush related to mallows, which can exceed 3m (10ft) in height when planted in the ground. Its vine-like foliage is green-grey and velvety, very soft to the eye and touch, and persists more or less depending on the severity of the winter. It forms a beautiful setting for its pretty Abutilon-like flowers, which are an intense carmine red, from summer to autumn. Hardy down to -8°C (17.6°F) in well-drained soil, it appreciates partial shade, fertile and light soil, and tolerates drought once established. In colder regions, it can be grown in a pot and stored indoors during the winter.
Flower size
7 cm
Height at maturity
2.50 m
Spread at maturity
1.50 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -6°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October
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Flowering time July to December
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Description

Phymosia umbellata is a Mexican bush of rare elegance, related to Abutilons, Hibiscus, and mallow, which should be seen more often in our coastal gardens or mild climates. Its Abutilon-like flowers, deep carmine red with a pure white throat, create a magnificent display with its grey-green and velvety vine leaves, from summer to the first cold weather, on a plant that can reach over 3m (10ft) in height in the ground. Apart from its low frost resistance (up to -8°C (17.6°F)), Phymosia umbellata is not difficult to grow in full sun or partial shade, in any good well-drained garden soil. It easily integrates into a flowering hedge, can be displayed near a path, or nestled against a wall for protection, or even in a large pot on the terrace, to be stored indoors in colder regions during winter.

 

Phymosia umbellata, formerly known as Sphaeralcea umbellata, is a bush belonging to the large mallow family. It is endemic to the forests of the Mexico region, governed by a tropical climate tempered by altitude, dry in winter, hot in spring, and rainy in summer. In its natural habitat, it can reach a height of 5 to 6m (16 to 20ft), but typically reaches 3m (10ft) in height and 1.50m (5ft) in width in our mild climate gardens. Its habit is bushy, rounded, supported by branches covered in a whitish fuzz. Its growth is rapid. It flowers for a long time if the weather remains mild, and its ephemeral flowers, which fade within 24 hours, continuously renew from July until December. The large buds covered in light grey fuzz are grouped in small clusters of 3 to 4 units in the axils of the leaves, and they open one after the other. Each flower, measuring up to 7cm (3in) in diameter, consists of 5 petals arranged in a cup, with a satin texture, intense carmine red in colour with a white base. The centre of the corolla is occupied by a white column. The flowers, pollinated by insect pollinators, transform into fruits composed of numerous tightly packed seeds that resemble those of roses and are easily self-sown. The foliage of Phymosia umbellata persists in mild climates until -5°C/-6°C (21.2°F). It consists of large palmate leaves measuring up to 20cm (8in) in diameter, with irregular lobes. They are covered in fuzz on their upper surface, giving them a soft grey sheen. This bush is capable of regenerating from the stump after short freezes around -8°C (17.6°F) if the stump is protected (especially in the first two years) and the soil remains relatively dry.

 

Phymosia umbellata will thrive in many areas spared from severe frosts, Atlantic or Mediterranean. It appreciates bright, warm exposures and can tolerate light shade in southern regions. Plant it in a sheltered spot away from strong winds, in soil that remains slightly moist until late summer. It can be used as a medium-sized hedge, in combination with bush mallows, Berberis 'Atropurpurea' for foliage contrast, a Polygala, or even with a tree clover (Lespedeza thunbergii) that will accompany its late summer flowering. It will also be stunning as a standalone plant or at the back of a perennial bed composed of autumn asters or shrubby salvias with blue flowers, for example.

Phymosia umbellata in pictures

Phymosia umbellata (Flowering) Flowering
Phymosia umbellata (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 2.50 m
Spread at maturity 1.50 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate fast

Flowering

Flower colour red
Flowering time July to December
Inflorescence Corymb
Flower size 7 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Flowering description Abutilon like in deep carmine red.

Foliage

Foliage persistence Semi-evergreen
Foliage colour green
Foliage description Evergreen.

Botanical data

Genus

Phymosia

Species

umbellata

Family

Malvaceae

Other common names

Mexican Bush Mallow

Origin

North America

Product reference853031

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Planting and care

Plant Phymosia umbellata preferably in spring or early autumn in a very mild climate. Choose a sunny location, or partial shade in southern regions. Install it in a regular but well-drained, deep, loose, rather fertile soil, not too dry in summer. The cold resistance of this bush will be greater if the soil remains dry in winter: the first two years, make sure to protect the stump in winter with a thick mulch. It thrives in slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly calcareous soil. Dig a deep planting hole and add some compost and coarse sand or gravel to improve soil quality if necessary. Water abundantly after planting and during the first two summers in case of prolonged drought. This bush is quite water-efficient once established, but a good watering every 15 days will be appreciated in the Mediterranean region. It seems to be disregarded by slugs and snails and does not have any specific enemies or diseases in our latitudes.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Container
Hardiness Hardy down to -6°C (USDA zone 9a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Deep, fertile, highly draining

Care

Pruning instructions Pruning is not essential but it promotes a more ramified habit. It should be done at the end of winter by slightly shortening the branches. Prune to 20cm (8in) from the ground if the vegetation has been damaged by the cold, the plant will regrow from the stump.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
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