Poppy Mallow

Callirhoe

Callirhoe alcaeoides ( Light Poppy-Mallow )
A low spreading perennial, reaching up to 1.5 x 1.5 feet in size, that is native to prairies from Nebraska to Illinois; south to north-central Texas to Alabama. The white or pink flowers are borne mid to late spring. Hardy zones 4 to 9 in full sun on just about any well drained soil. Clay and very drought tolerant.

photo taken by Clarence A. Rechenthin @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

'Logan Calhoun'
A spreading, mat-forming perennial, reaching up to 6 inches x 2 feet, with pure white flowers.

Callirhoe bushii ( Bush's Poppy Mallow )
A perennial, reaching up to 3 x 3 ( usually shorter than 2 ) feet; is native to the Midwest from Iowa; south to Oklahoma to Arkansas. The 5-lobed leaves resemble that of the Silver Maple in shape. The attractive foliage is luxuriant mid-green. The intense magenta-pink flowers, up to 2 inches across, are borne during early to mid summer. Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on just about any well drained soil. Very drought tolerant. The seeds have a very hard coat which impedes germination; sandpapering them will help.

Callirhoe digitata ( Fringed Poppy Mallow )
A very attractive, moderate growing, deeply-taprooted, sprawling perennial, reaching up to 20 inches x 5 feet. It is native from Kansas to Illinois; south to Oklahoma to Arkansas.
The very deeply-lobed leaves are borne in basal rosettes late in the season.
The abundant, wine-red flowers, up to 2.4 inches across, are borne mid spring to mid autumn.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun on dry, well drained soil. Very drought tolerant.
It is rarely bothered by insect pests or disease.
Propagation is from division, stem cuttings, and seed.

Callirhoe involucrata ( Poppy Mallow )
A very attractive, moderate growing, deeply-taprooted, sprawling perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2 x 6 ( rarely over 1 x 3 ) feet, that is native to prairies in the central U.S. ( from Wyoming to Iowa; south to Texas ). It can reach up to 1 x 3 feet during the first season after planting. It looks great cascading over retaining walls.
The very deeply-lobed, hairy foliage is deep green and usually remains healthy all summer long.
The deep red ( with white eye ) flowers, up to 2.4 inches across, are borne all summer long.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on dry, well drained soil. Extremely heat & drought tolerant, it tolerates even south facing walls and strip mall parking islands. It is rarely bothered by insect pests or disease though rust may occur where summers are wet.
Propagation is from division, stem cuttings, and seed sown during early spring. The seed typically germinates better if stored in a plastic bag of moist sand in the refrigerator for 3 months during the winter. It often self seeds. Planted as groundcover, it should be planted 3 feet apart.

* photo taken @ U.S. Botanical Garden, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

* photos taken on Oct 21 2014 @ U.S. Botanical Gardens, Washington, DC

* photos taken by Clarence A. Rechenthin @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database