(Callirhoe involucrata ‘Purple’)

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Purple Poppy Mallow is a native perennial flower that is commonly found growing in dry rocky soils of the central United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 8-12” and features upward facing cup-shaped, poppy-like five petaled magenta flowers. This plant can be grown in a container or hanging basket, attracts bees, butterflies, hoverflies, lacewing, and predatory wasps, resistant to deer and rabbits, is both edible and medicinal, tolerates drought, self sows, and is great as a cut flower! 

  • General Information
  • ​Seed Starting
  • Crop Care
  • Harvesting
  • Seed Saving
  • Culinary
  • Medicinal
  • Companion Planting
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Family: Malvaceae

Genus: Callirhoe 

Species: involucrata

Variety: Purple Poppy Mallow

Native to: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas.

Introduced into: Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wyoming.

Grown as: Perennial
 
Maturity (Blooms): May to June

Hardiness: Tender. Annual that dies off in the winter and reseeds for the following year.

Light: Full sun

Water: Dry to medium.

Soil Moisture: Dry to medium moisture, well-drained.

Suitability: Drought, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil.
​
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Bees, Gray Hairstreak Butterflies, Hoverflies, and Predatory Wasps.

Containers?: Yes. This plant can be used in containers and hanging baskets.

Maintenance: Low

Height: 8-12​”
 
Spacing: 24-36”

Sow Depth: 1/4"
 
USDA Zone: 4-10

Produces: upward facing cup-shaped, poppy-like five petaled magenta flowers.

Garden Uses: Good native ground cover. Border fronts, rock gardens, native plant gardens, wild gardens, naturalized areas or meadows. Sprawl over a stone wall. Fits well into both formal garden areas as well as wild/naturalized areas.
​For the best germination rates, soak the seed in water overnight, then mix the seed with moist sand and store it in the refrigerator for 30 days before planting. After the last frost of spring, sow the treated seed 1/4" below the surface of the soil. For fall planting, simply soak the seed in water overnight and direct sow 1/4" below the surface of the soil. Thin or transplant seedlings.
​This plant grows well in dry, rocky, or shallow soil. Since it withstands drought very well, it does not need to be watered; too much moisture will cause disease. For the most profuse blooms, remove faded blossoms. This plant will self-seed and slowly spread, making an attractive native ground cover. The stems will sprawl along the ground, primarily growing out rather than up; they may go dormant in the summer. Since mature plants have long tap roots, transplanting is not recommended. This plant attracts bees and many butterflies.
​These vining stems and bright blossoms make attractive additions to flower arrangements. Cut the stems to the desired length and place them in water.
​The mature seed heads will turn a pale tan, and easily come apart when pressed. Remove the ripe seed heads and separate the seed from the husks. Store the seed in a cool, dry place.
​Purple Poppy Mallow flowers can be used as a delightful addition to delicious organic salads. It's 4 inch leaves are commonly used to thicken soups or they can also be eaten raw as an emergency food. Finally, the roots of this plant have a sweet, starchy, sweet potato like flavor and can be eaten raw, roasted, or even boiled. 
​The roots of Purple Poppy Mallow have been used for over 200 years as a medicine by European Settlers and Native Americans. A decoction of Purple Poppy Mallow roots was used as a painkiller to provide relief to internal pains. The roots were also dried, burned, and the smoke inhaled to treat head colds.
Project Purity Seeds can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Companion Planting

​Purple Poppy Mallow is also a host plant for Hoverflies, Parasitic Wasps, and Gray Hairstreak Butterfly larvae. Gray Hairstreak Butterflies have a blueish grey wings with orange and blacks spots that are used to trick predators. Gray hairstreak butterflies are not only excellent pollinators, but in all stages of its life provide food for other beneficial animals and insects such as birds, lizards, frogs, toads, wasps, and even bats! Scientist who study butterfly populations say that butterflies can be used like a barometer to indict if something isn't right in the environment such as if is a heavy usage of pesticides being used in your area. Bees and Green Lacewings are also attracted to this plant.

Companions: Butterfly Milkweed, Purple Coneflower, Prairie Dropseed, Prairie Phlox, Purple Prairie Clover, Blue Grama Grass.

Problems

​No serious insect or disease problems. Crown rot may occur in poorly drained soils.

Suggested Varieties

(Dalea purpurea ‘Purple Prairie’)

Purple Prairie Clover is a native perennial flower that can be found growing in prairies throughout the United States. Growing to the height of 1-3' tall, this beautiful plant features tiny purple flowers that grow densely on a cone-like head. This cultivar is a gardening powerhouse due to its nitrogen-fixing ability, it attracts bees and butterflies, it provides forage to birds and livestock, it is both edible and medicinal, it tolerates drought, as well as being gorgeous as a cut flower!
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(Echinacea purpurea ‘Purple’)

Purple Coneflower is a native perennial flower that is commonly found growing in moist meadows, woods, and prairies throughout the central and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-4' and features stiff stems, narrow hairy leaves, and 3-4” flower heads with drooping purplish pink petals and a spiny orange center cone. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, provides bird forage, tolerates drought and frost, has medicinal uses, is resistant to deer, and is great as a cut flower! 
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(Asclepias tuberosa ‘Butterfly Weed’)

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Butterfly Weed Milkweed is a native perennial flower that is commonly found growing in prairies, open woods, fields, and along roadsides throughout most of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-3' and features hairy upright stems, slim lance-shaped leaves, and showy clusters of orangish yellow flower tops. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and ladybugs, resistant to deer, tolerates drought, self sows, and has medicinal properties! 
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