Mallow Malva sylvestris 'Primley Blue'

Planting Advice:

• Malvas perform best in a sunny position in well-drained soil, although will tolerate most conditions apart from wet, heavy clay.
• Before planting soak container-grown shrubs thoroughly and allow to drain.
• Dig a planting hole 3 x wider than the roots of the shrub you're planting and mix some well-rotted compost or manure with the soil from the hole and use this to re-fill once the shrub is in place.
• Remove the plant from its pot and tease out a few of the roots.
• Add Mycorrhizal fungi to the roots when planting to help plants establish quicker.
• Place your shrub in the hole at the same level as it was in the pot.
• Refill the hole with the earth removed (backfilling) and firm in the soil with your heel, avoiding the root ball and water well.
• Mulch around the base of the plant with a collar, compost, gravel, bark etc

Aftercare Advice:

• Feed monthly when in full growth to promote flowers.
• Water freely when in growth and sparingly otherwise.
• Each spring apply a thin layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds.
• Pinch out growing tips to promote bushier plants.
• Deadhead malva as the flowers fade to encourage new shoots and flower buds.
• Plants can be cut back by up to a third to encourage new growth.