Growing Gorgeous Purple Poppy Mallow: A Step-by-Step Guide

The purple poppy mallow plant, also known as “winecup,” is a native perennial with a lengthy blooming cycle. Its petals overlap and create a pinkish-purple cup shape that is distinctive and beautiful. This lovely plant grows naturally in rocky, arid regions like prairies, pastures, open woods, and roadsides in the central and southern Great Plains. Purple poppy mallows are sought after for their ability to attract pollinators and because they have deer resistance, drought tolerance, and are low maintenance. The plant produces flowers on sprawling stems that can lean on taller plants, making them a great addition to gardens for their appealing combinations.

Purple poppy mallow is an excellent choice for those looking to create native habitat gardens. It serves as a host plant for the caterpillars of various butterflies, providing them with both habitat and food. This perennial plant, also known as Winecup or Buffalo Rose, grows up to 48 inches in height and spreads up to 3 feet in width. It blooms in pink, purple, and white colors during fall, spring, and summer. Its blue-green foliage adds to its charm. Purple poppy mallow is low maintenance and attracts birds, making it a perfect addition to any garden bed or trailing over a wall. You can plant it in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9, and shorter varieties of the plant make excellent groundcovers. To plant it, you can either purchase transplant from a garden center or online nursery or sow seed in late summer or early fall. Purple poppy mallow doesn’t transplant well due to its long taproots, so it’s best to sow seeds where you want the plants to grow. Ensure that the soil is well-drained and loosen the soil with a spade or garden fork before planting.

If you’re looking to grow purple poppy mallow, here are some tips to help you care for it. First off, make sure to plant it in a spot that gets plenty of sunlight, although a little bit of shade can be good in areas with extremely hot weather. Purple poppy mallow thrives in well-drained soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5 and medium moisture. Water it regularly during the first year to help it get established, but after that, it should be able to survive on its own without additional watering.

This mat-forming perennial is hardy in Zones 4-9, depending on the variety, and dies back to a low rosette in winter in most areas. Fertilization is not necessary, and pruning is only required if the stems become rangy. However, deadheading can help prolong flowering.

If you want to grow purple poppy mallow in a container, use a well-draining potting soil and make sure the container has excellent drainage. The plant does not divide well because of its long taproot, so propagating via seed or stem cuttings is recommended.

Mexican winecup, fringed poppy mallow, pale poppy mallow, and Bush’s poppy mallow are some of the different types of poppy mallow you can grow. Prairie dropseed makes for a good companion plant for purple poppy mallow.

While purple poppy mallow has few pest problems, it may suffer from root rot in poorly drained soils and may be visited by slugs. Protect young plants from rabbits with a fence or repellent.

Bob Stefko recommends the prairie dropseed for its ability to add a touch of prairie to your garden while thriving in full sun. As fall approaches, its leaves turn golden or orange, and in winter, it transforms into a copper-brown shade. It produces flower panicles in late summer and is an attractive option for both pollinators and birds. In addition, butterfly weed is also an excellent choice.

Matthew Benson recommends adding Butterfly weed, also known as Asclepias tuberosa, to your garden. Its orange color complements the purple poppy mallow bloom time, making it a great addition to any garden. The plant is also beneficial to monarch butterflies as it provides food for their larvae. This prairie plant is suitable for perennial gardens and is perfect for those looking to add some color to their outdoor space. Another great option for your garden is Nodding Onion.

The charming pale pink flowers of Allium cernuum, also known as the short native nodding wild onion, create a captivating pairing with the purple poppy mallow. The delightful 2-foot-tall stems of this wild onion bloom with lovely pink flowers.