Malva alcea

Hollyhock mallow. A robust upright perennial growing to 1 m (3 ft) tall, freely flowering in summer and autumn with large purple-pink flowers, will self-sow. The leaves are excellent in salads with a mild flavour; the flowers are also very good in salads. The leaves are medicinal and a fibre has been made from the stems; various dyes are made from the plant; bees love the flowers. Grow in any soil in sun or part shade; hardy to -25ºC.