Cusick’s Checkermallow

Sidalcea cusickii

close up of magenta flowers tightly clustered

Photo Credit: Seven Oaks Native Nursery

a bud of a Cusick's checkermallow shows the dense clustering on the raceme and the thin dissected leaves below

Photo Credit: Seven Oaks Native Nursery

Flowering racemes of checkermallow with dark pink flowers

Photo Credit: Seven Oaks Native Nursery

a patch of checkermallow with rounded basal leaves and racemes of clustered pink flowers

Photo Credit: Seven Oaks Native Nursery

Plant Description

An ornamental herbaceous perennial with tall spikes of rose-pink flowers that deepen in color as they age. Blooms May-July. Mounds of rounded basal leaves are typically evergreen, though they may die back during a hard freeze. Considered uncommon in its natural habitat.

Plant Details

Life Forms	Forb
Habitats	Ditches Rights of way Riparian areas Wet prairies
Soil and Moisture Conditions	Moist to wet
Special Uses	Attracts pollinators and or other beneficial insects
Shade Preference	Full sun Part shade
Mature Height	1.5-6'