Malva Zabrina

Malva 'Zebrina' has delicate, silky pale-pink flowers with narrow purple stripes radiating from the centre. It’s an elegant border plant with an old-fashioned charm. The young leaves can be added to salads, and while the flowers are also edible, I’d rather enjoy them left blooming on the plant.

🌸 Flowering: July to October

📏 Height: to 120cm

🌿Perennial

SOW
In spring or late summer, start seeds in pots or modules filled with moist (not soggy) seed compost. Lightly cover with perlite or vermiculite and pop the whole thing in a plastic bag to keep humidity in. Keep them warm — around 20°C — and be patient; germination usually takes 1–3 weeks, sometimes a bit longer. Once they’re up, remove the bag.

GROW
When big enough to handle, harden off and plant out about 50–60cm apart. They like a sunny spot and have that lovely, old-school border charm.

ENJOY
Great in the garden or cut for a vase. This is edible: add the leaves to salads if you like — the flowers too, though I usually leave them for the bees (and for looks!).