Variegated Mallow

I grow variegated mallows for their foliage as well as their small lilac flowers. I discovered Kings Seeds seed catalogue in 1998 and among my first order was a packet of these seeds. I thought I'd like them - I had no idea how big they would grow, but I duly planted six out in the JAM garden and then forgot about them.

the scruffy weed-plant variegated mallow

Towards the end of that first summer I noticed that they were almost as tall as me, and my close planting had given them a hedge-like form. I built the little path to wind behind them, and congratulated myself on my unique if unusual good taste.

Weeds?

Then I attempted to show off my variegated mallows to Stephen. He (a practical botanically minded man) was not impressed. They were weeds, he stated, and why on earth was I interested in cultivating them? The variegations, rich cream with mid-green, did not impress him either - "scruffy leaves" he said dismissively.

I can lose gardening confidence rather easily, so it is with some nervousness that I still grow these "scruffy weeds". After they flower I prune them heavily, and replace them with new plants after 2 or 3 years. Seedlings are appearing everywhere, and luckily they're variegated too...