Virginia Fanpetals (Sida hermaphrodita) - Seeds
€2,10
Skip to product information
Virginia Fanpetals (Sida hermaphrodita) - Seeds
€2,10
Pickup available at Bei der Kirche 3
Usually ready in 24 hours
An incredibly majestic and vigorous perennial that makes a true architectural statement in any garden: Sida hermaphrodita, also known as Virginia Mallow, fascinates with its uniquely shaped, palmately lobed leaves and dense clusters of pure white flowers. These delicate blossoms are adorned with filigree, reddish-purple stamens. As a fast-growing and tall plant, it offers enormous structure and is an absolute magnet for bees and beneficial insects.
Scope of delivery: 15 seeds each
Sowing at a glance
-
Preparation: The hard seeds absolutely require a cold period (cold-moist stratification) for successful germination, for example, for 6 to 8 weeks in the refrigerator. A short soak in lukewarm water before the cold phase can support the process.
-
Sowing depth: approx. 0.5 to 1 cm (cover seeds only lightly with soil).
-
Germination temperature: After cold treatment, a constant 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.
-
Germination time: Very irregular, usually 2 to 8 weeks after the cold period is completed.
- Substrate: Well-draining seed compost; always keep slightly moist, but never wet.
Origin and diverse uses
Originally, Virginia Mallow comes from the river valleys and eastern mountain regions of North America, where it has unfortunately become highly endangered and very rare in its natural habitat. In Europe, however, it is enjoying rapidly growing popularity that now extends far beyond the classic ornamental garden.
In addition to its visual presence, this mallow is intensively researched and cultivated as a sustainable energy and utility crop. Due to its massive and rapid biomass accumulation, the lignified stems in autumn provide an excellent raw material for heating pellets, pulp for paper production, or natural insulation materials. In your own garden, you benefit in several ways from these robust properties: the deep root system loosens even heavy, compacted soils, while the weeks of blooms in late summer provide an extremely valuable, late nectar and pollen source for countless bees, bumblebees, and butterflies.
Growth habit and location
Virginia Mallow is a true structural plant and can easily reach heights of two to three meters. It needs a full sun to partial shade location to unfold its full splendor. The soil should be deep and rich in nutrients. Since it builds up an enormous amount of biomass in a short time, it has a higher water requirement, especially on hot days. Therefore, water it regularly and thoroughly as soon as the top layer of soil has dried out.
Frost hardiness and safe overwintering
Unlike many other exotics, this mallow is absolutely winter hardy in our latitudes. In late autumn, the plant retreats and the above-ground part dies back. You can simply cut the dry stems back to ground level in early spring. It reliably sprouts again from its strong, deep root system in spring and becomes more vigorous year after year.