Oregon Checkermallow

Oregon checkermallow (sidalcea oregana) has the graceful appearance of a miniature hollyhock, with tall flower stalks rising above attractive, deeply lobed foliage. The soft pink flowers make a particularly nice addition to meadow-style plantings, perennial borders, and other naturalistic gardens where an upright summer accent is useful.

This is a good choice for the moister parts of an Utah landscape rather than a dry, low-water bed. Give it adequate moisture and it can establish into a lovely perennial clump, while its flowers provide a useful summer nectar and pollen source for native bees. Its combination of cold hardiness and Utah-native status makes it particularly well suited to mountain gardens where some conventional garden perennials struggle with winter temperatures.