Kosteletzkya virginica (Virginia Saltmarsh Mallow)

A genuine saline-soil specialist with a showy, hibiscus-like bloom, Virginia saltmarsh mallow tolerates periodic flooding and saline soils that would defeat most flowering perennials - while still delivering a long, richly nectar-rewarding bloom for hummingbirds and butterflies.

Species Overview

Kosteletzkya virginica is a salt-tolerant perennial native to coastal marshes and wetlands of the eastern United States, from New York to Florida to Louisiana. It grows 3 to 6 feet tall, producing an abundance of hibiscus-like, rosy pink flowers up to 3 inches across from early summer to early fall. Individual flowers last only a single day, but are borne in such profusion that the plant can have dozens open at once.

Application

• Coastal restoration - stabilizes soils in saline environments
• Salt and brackish marsh, bog, and swamp-periphery plantings
• Rain gardens and wet meadows tolerant of periodic flooding
• Pollinator and hummingbird habitat plantings

Growing Conditions / Specification Data

• Light: Full Sun
• Soil/Moisture Tolerance: Wet, saline or brackish soils; tolerates periodic flooding; adapts to regular garden soil if kept well irrigated
• Plant Type: Forb
• Mature Height: 4-8 ft.
• Fall Color: Insignificant/None
• Bloom Color / Period: Pink; July-October
• Wetland Indicator Status: NI (No Indicator) - see flags
• Native Range: New York to Florida, west to Louisiana
• Hydrology: Moist-Wet
• Root Depth: Moderate (12-24 in.)
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Drought Tolerance: Low
• Deer Resistance: Some
• Shade Tolerance: Intolerant
• Salinity Tolerance: High - naturally occurs at 3-25 ppt soil salinity; growth stimulated at ~5 ppt (USDA NRCS Plant Guide; peer-reviewed physiology study)
• Flood Tolerance: High - A salt marsh species found in regularly wet, saline soils, consistent with this species' already-confirmed high salinity tolerance.
• Growth Habit: Upright
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9
• Pollinator Value: Supports butterflies, supports hummingbirds

Planting Guidance

• Give this plant plenty of room and allow it to self-seed; it usually lives about 5 years before beginning to decline once at full size.