Every landscape desires a plant using a little bit of rambunctious zing. Purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata), using its long, trailing stems and summerlong series of blossoms, is magnificent as one specimen plant, used en masse for a ground cover or planted throughout the landscape as a unifying element. This native perennial can adapt to a wide assortment of growing conditions but is a standout actor in these tough areas that are glowing, dry and hot.
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Botanical name: Callirhoe involucrata
Common names: Purple poppy mallow, poppy mallow, prairie winecup, buffalo rose
Origin: Native to the High Plains region of the USA, from Wyoming to Texas
Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees (USDA climate zones 4 to 9; locate your zone)
Elevation range: Up to 7,500 ft
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 6 to 12 inches tall and 24 to 36 inches wide
Benefits and tolerances: Purple poppy mallow tolerates sun, drought and heat; its vibrant blossoms are a nectar source for indigenous butterflies and bees — including the gray hairstreak.
Seasonal interest: Flowers early summer to fall; foliage may be evergreen in mild climates
When to plant: Spring to fall
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Distinguishing attributes. The cup-shaped blossoms are a luminous violet-pink hue with a white eye; they cover the plant all summer. The blossoms, 11/2 to 21/2 inches wide, open in the morning, shut again in the day and stay closed once they’ve been pollinated.
Purple poppy mallow also has amazing bright green foliage that’s rounded and deeply lobed, developing a lace-like effect.
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Purple poppy mallow is shown in this photo with variegated iris (Iris variegata, zones 4 to 9) and ‘Hidcote’ English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’, zones 5 to 10).
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
The best way to use it. At home in conventional gardens, prairie gardens and xeriscapes, purple poppy mallow looks amazing winding through the stone garden, blanketing bright slopes, draping over retaining walls or scrambling involving taller perennials and shrubs.
Plant it with contrasting foliage textures: fine, grass-like or small. Blue and grey leaves also give a nice comparison, as shown here, where purple poppy mallow joins dwarf rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spp, zones 4 to 9) and Blue sedum (Sedum pinifolium ‘Blue Spruce’, zones 3 to 11).
The blossom color calls for strong playmates. Believe white whirling butterflies (Gaura lindheimeri, zones 5 to 10), yellowish pineleaf penstemon (Penstemon pinifolius ‘Mersea Yellow’, zones 4 to 9) and blue lavender (Salvia spp).
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Planting notes. Complete sun and well-drained soil (most types, including clay) are favored. Purple poppy mallow has a large, fleshy taproot and might be hard to transplant. But it is going to self-sow and slowly spread, if you let it. Provide afternoon shade and warmth that is regular in desert regions
