Malva 'Mystic Merlin' Seeds
If you love the height of Hollyhocks but struggle with rust, Malva sylvestris 'Mystic Merlin' is the perfect alternative. This stunning variety produces tall, sturdy spikes loaded with silky, saucer-shaped flowers in a rich, mesmerizing shade of deep violet-purple, intricately veined with dark maroon.
True to its name, the colour can be quite magical—shifting from deep indigo-purple to rich magenta depending on the temperature and soil. It forms a substantial, shrubby mound that flowers tirelessly from early summer right through to autumn, providing a dramatic, dark backdrop for brighter plants.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Malva is a vigorous Short-Lived Perennial (often grown as a Hardy Annual).
It typically lives for 3-4 years, getting bigger and better each season.
The Self-Seeder: Like its cousin the Hollyhock, it is a fantastic self-seeder. Once you have it, you will likely have it forever, as it drops seeds that turn into free plants for future years.
Top Tip: This plant is a "First Year Flowerer." Unlike true Hollyhocks which make you wait a year, 'Mystic Merlin' will bloom in its very first summer if sown in spring.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Malva is robust and easy to grow from seed.
Germination:
Sow indoors from February to May, or directly outdoors in May. Sow seeds on the surface of moist compost and cover lightly with vermiculite. Keep warm (15-20°C). Germination takes 14-21 days.
Where to Sow:
They thrive in sun or partial shade. They are not fussy about soil type and will grow happily in heavy clay or dry sandy soil, provided it isn't waterlogged.
Care While Growing:
The Mid-Summer Chop: If the plant starts to look straggly or finishes its first flush of flowers in July, cut the stems back by half. This encourages fresh green growth and a second flush of flowers for autumn.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Malva sylvestris |
| Common Name | Common Mallow 'Mystic Merlin' |
| Hardiness | H5 (Hardy Perennial) |
| Light Required | Sun / Part Shade ⛅ |
| Height | ↕️ 1.2m - 1.5m (Tall) |
| Spread | ↔️ 60cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 60cm apart |
| Great for | 🐝 Pollinators 🏡 Cottage Gardens 🧱 Back of Border 🥗 Edible Flowers |
| Seed Count | Approx. 50 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The deep purple of 'Mystic Merlin' looks incredible with cool silvers or contrasting yellows:
- 🥈 Rose Campion (Lychnis): The Silver Partner. The grey, felted leaves of Rose Campion provide the perfect foil for the dark purple flowers of the Mallow. Both plants love similar conditions and self-seed together happily.
- 🍯 Rudbeckia 'Marmalade': The Colour Clash. For a vibrant display, pair the deep violet Mallow with the golden-orange Rudbeckia. Purple and Yellow are complementary colours, making this a high-impact combination.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors in spring. Flowers June to October.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | ||||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Edibility Note
Malva flowers and young leaves are edible! They have a mild flavour similar to lettuce and the flowers make a stunning, colourful garnish for summer salads.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
This plant is a haven for pollinators. Malva sylvestris is listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list and is a key food source for bees in the cottage garden.
- Regular price
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£3.20 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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£3.20
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