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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Malvaceae (w/Bombacaceae & Sterculeacea) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Clear Pink |
| Bloomtime: Year-round |
| Height: 6-8 feet |
| Width: 4-6 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Anisodontea 'Tara's Pink' (Cape Mallow) - An upright evergreen shrub to 6 to 8 feet tall by 4 feet wide. Plant is full sun and water occasionally to infrequently - this is certainly a low water requiring ("drought tolerant") plant. Hardy to 20 degrees F (it weathered the winter 1990 cold nights down to 18 ° F . This plant was a spontaneous seedling hybrid, presumably between Anisodontea x hypomandarum and A. scabrosa that occurred in the San Marcos Growers' test garden where we had both of these plants were growing. The foliage is larger and more lush then typical Anisodontea x hypomandarum and the larger flowers are a deeper pink. The seedling in our garden grew to over 8 feet tall by 6 feet wide. We named this plant 'Tara's Pink' in honor, and now in memory, of Tara, Randy Baldwin's Rhodesian Ridgeback, who used to roam the nursery garden. This plant was introduced by San Marcos Growers in 1993 and has since been grown by many other nurseries. We later introduced 'Tara's Wonder', which was presumed to be a hybrid between 'Tara's Pink' or A. x hypomandarum and A. anomala and had attractive flowers with a deep rose-center and orchid striping radiating outwards and dark green leaves that were strongly lobed. Though 'Tara's Wonder had striking flowers, its coarse foliage and open form made it an awkward plant in the garden and it was discontinued in 1998. Most plants we have seen in cultivation labeled 'Tara's Wonder', even in reputable botanic gardens, have actually been plants of 'Tara's Pink'.
This description is based on our research and observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We will also incorporate comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information about this plant, in particular if this information is contrary to what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Anisodontea 'Tara's Pink'.
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