Growing Mystic Merlin Malva Garden Seeds
- Taxonomy: Malva sylvestris
- Other Names: Hollyhock Mallow
- Seed Type: Annual (Biennial in zones 7 - 8)
- Sow Indoors or Outdoors: Mystic Merlin malva seeds can be directly sown after the frost, but for earliest blooms, begin indoors 10 – 12 weeks before final frost date. Malva seeds will germinate in 7 – 14 days with full light and, once germinated, move to fluorescent grow light until two sets of true leaves have developed. Harden off if transplanting outside to a sunny spot or similarly warm place indoors. Even if plants die off from flowering, Mystic Merlin malvas will likely reseed on their own for next spring.
- Days to Maturity: 56 – 63 days
- Hardiness Zone: 4 – 8
- Planting Depth: Plant 2 – 3 seeds ¼” deep
- Plant Spacing: 24”
- Growth Habit: 36 – 60” shrubby upright with a 24” spread of 2” funnel-shaped blooms
- Soil Preference: Average, loamy, well-drained
- Light Preference: Full sun – Partial shade
- Diseases/Pests/Troubleshooting: Mystic Merlin malva thrives in well-drained soil and can be susceptible to rust in the long summer months but, other than that, plants are very hardy performers. The genus Malva, however, is heavily susceptible to potyvirus, a disease found in aphids scattered throughout Europe and even found in California.
- Color: Mix of ”veiny" bicolored blooms in shades of lavender, pink, fuchsia, and magenta
Mystic Merlin malva seeds can be directly sown after the frost, but for earliest blooms, begin indoors 10 – 12 weeks before final frost. Malva seeds will germinate in 7 – 14 days with full light and, once germinated, move to grow light until two sets of true leaves have developed. Harden off if transplanting outside to a sunny spot or similarly warm place indoors. Even if plants die off from flowering, Mystic Merlin malvas will likely reseed on their own for next spring. Plant 2 – 3 Mystic Merlin malva seeds ¼” deep and 24” apart in average, loamy, and well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Mystic Merlin malva thrives in well-drained soil and can be susceptible to rust in the long summer months but, other than that, plants are very hardy performers. The genus Malva, however, is heavily susceptible to potyvirus, a disease found in aphids scattered throughout Europe and even found in California. Mystic Merlin malva seeds mature in 56 – 63 days as 36 – 60” shrubby uprights with a 24” wide spread of 2” funnel-shaped blooms in a mix of lavender, pink, fuchsia, and magenta.
Malva sylvestris is a species of the beloved mallow genus Malva and has accrued a number of common names throughout the centuries including Cheese, High Mallow and Tall Mallow by English-speaking nations and Mauve des Bois by the French. Thomas Jefferson referred to the famous heirloom flower as "French mallow.” Malva sylvestris is also loosely referred to as Hollyhock because they are both in the Malvaceae family.