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Checker Bloom

Sidalcea malviflora

perennial herb View on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun, part shade

Water

low

Soil

well-drained to moist; tolerates clay

Size

1–3ft tall , 1–2ft wide

Bloom

Mar-Jun · pink, magenta

Foliage

Deciduous

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Flowers

Prized

Native Range

California and Oregon coastal grasslands and openings

Spikes of hollyhock-like pink flowers

Native hollyhock relative; lovely in meadow or border plantings

Care Guide

Planting

Plant Checker Bloom in full sun in a location with well-drained to moist soil - it's remarkably flexible and tolerates clay, sandy, and even serpentine soils. Plant in fall or early winter to take advantage of the damp season this California native prefers. Space plants 1–2 feet apart; this plant can work as a groundcover if you're planting multiples. It tolerates cold down to 0–10°F, so it's well-suited to Bay Area winters.

After Planting

Water regularly during the first growing season to establish the plant, then shift to the summer dry schedule it evolved for: once established, water no more than once a month in summer, or let rainfall handle it entirely. Expect the plant to die back in winter - this is normal deciduous behavior, not a sign of failure. The #1 mistake is overwatering in summer; Checker Bloom comes from dry meadows and will rot if kept consistently wet. Note that it sometimes behaves like an annual, so if your plant doesn't return, you can simply reseed.

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