I was really sorry to have to make that final decision to remove the wonderful Malva moschatas from my south-facing garden border. I had two pink ones (Rosea) and one white one (Alba) and they grew about 4-5ft (120cm to 150cm) tall, half as wide, and began to take over the border. Some say that they are invasive, self-seeding prolifically, but I never noticed. The reason that they have been removed is simply because they were causing deep shadow on the climbers behind and blocking out the light for other, smaller, plants like the lovely anemones and the penstemons which I don't want to lose. My greatest regret at removing them is that the bumblebees loved them so, rolling around like pollen junkies on the hearts of the flowers. Fortunately, the bumblebees have many other flowers in my garden that they can enjoy.
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Ready for take off!
White-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) on Malva moschata 'Rosea' |
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This White-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)
obviously believes that the Malva flower deserves a big hug. |
Images below of the red-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) were taken in 2014
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| Red-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) 2014 |
