After a long break, we are happy to continue our individual Texas native plants profiles and today we will put the spotlight on Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus).
From the entry:
“The Turks are invading and they are wielding adorable red caps! Yes, yes, Turk’s cap are becoming more and more common in Central Texas landscapes and for a good reason. You can see abundant scatterings of this great medium sized shrub all over city lake parks, thriving under heavy shaded tree canopies. So what’s the deal with them turks? Well, first of all, Turk’s caps are as Texan as 4 gallon hats and 40 oz steaks. They are a great and versatile Texas native shrub that offers: Abundant and long blooming (spring to fall) red blooms that provide a real feast for hummingbirds and butterflies, Adapted to both full sun and heavy shade, somewhat drought tolerant and virtually maintenance free. Variegated, and white flowering cultivars are available as well. We love to design with Wax Mallow in heavy shaded areas where some color is needed. It is a bit wooly and wild looking but who’s going to refuse, zero maintenance, long flowering, heavy shade color? Highly Recommended!”
What do you think about Turk’s Cap? Do you grow it yourself? What kind of experience and insights you have to share? We love featuring our readers’ plant pictures and Xeriscapes!