Mexican bush mallow ‘Blood of Pan’

Shrub

Phymosia umbellata ‘Blood of Pan’

Mexican bush mallow ‘Blood of Pan’

Also known as: Phymosia umbellata dark-flowered, Phymosa umbellata (misspelling)

A dark-flowered Mexican mallow shrub with soft, grey-green lobed leaves and deep blood-red funnel flowers.

  • Full sun
  • 2–4 m (7–13 ft)
  • 1.5–2.5 m (5–8 ft)
  • H3 · Zone 9
  • June–October
  • Semi evergreen

Overview

Phymosia umbellata is a medium-sized, semi-evergreen shrub from Mexico related to abutilons, with large, softly hairy, maple-like leaves. 'Blood of Pan' is an exceptionally dark selection whose clusters of open, funnel-shaped flowers are deep blood red with slightly paler insides, produced from summer into autumn and almost year-round in a warm, sheltered spot. The species is rated hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (about -5°C), and a plant in a sheltered spot at RHS Wisley came through the severe cold of 2018 unscathed. A warm wall gives the best results.

At a Glance

Sun Full sun
Height 2–4 m (7–13 ft)
Spread 1.5–2.5 m (5–8 ft)
Hardiness H3 · Zone 9
Flowers June–October
Soil Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture Moist well drained
Habit Bushy, Upright
Water Moderate
Maintenance Moderate

Growing Conditions

Min. Temperature -5°C (23°F)
pH Range 6–8
Fertility Fertile
Drainage Free Draining

Aspect Suitability

  • South-facing
  • West-facing

Soil Tolerance

  • Chalk
  • Sandy
  • Loam
  • Acid
  • Neutral pH
  • Alkaline

Foliage

Phymosia umbellata ‘Blood of Pan’ (Mexican bush mallow ‘Blood of Pan’)
Phymosia umbellata ‘Blood of Pan’ (Mexican bush mallow ‘Blood of Pan’)
Persistence Semi evergreen
Colour Grey-green, Green
Leaf shape / texture palmately_lobed
  • Architectural foliage

Foliage interest: 12 months of the year

Seasonal Timeline

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowering
Foliage
Propagate
  • Flowering Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
  • Foliage 12 months of the year
  • Propagate May Jun Jul Aug

Maintenance Calendar

  • Apr Cut out frost-damaged growth and shorten long shoots by a third to keep it bushy, as it flowers on new growth
  • Jun Give a balanced feed once a month in pots to support the long flowering season
  • Jul Take a few cuttings as insurance in case a hard winter kills the parent plant
  • Nov Mulch the root area and fleece the plant in hard frosts, because a protected base can reshoot even if top growth is lost

Garden Design

Works well in: Cottage, Mediterranean, Modern / Contemporary, Tropical / Exotic

Grow against a sunny, sheltered wall or fence where the reflected warmth helps it flower over a long season. Dark flowers look best against pale stone or silver foliage.

Companion planting: Abutilons, Salvias, Cannas, Grasses

Wildlife Value

  • Bees
  • Other pollinators
  • Shelter

Safety

No known toxicity; treat as an ornamental plant only.