Kankakee mallow (Iliamna remota)
Discover the rare Kankakee mallow (Iliamna remota), an herbaceous perennial with showy pink blooms, ideal for low-maintenance gardens.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Kankakee mallow (Iliamna remota) is a botanical treasure, representing one of North America’s rarest native plants. This herbaceous perennial commands attention in the garden with its erect, clump-forming growth habit and striking mallow-like flowers. Gardeners value Iliamna remota for its uniqueness and relatively easy care once established in the correct conditions.
This species thrives across a range of light exposures, preferring locations from full sun down to partial shade. It reaches impressive heights, often topping six feet, making it an excellent vertical accent in borders. The beautiful spring and early summer blooms are a major aesthetic draw, presenting colors ranging from soft apple blossom to delicate bluish pink.
If you are passionate about native conservation or seeking unusual specimens, integrating the Kankakee mallow into your landscape is a rewarding endeavor. Its low maintenance requirement further cements its appeal for gardeners looking for high impact with minimal effort, provided its specific soil and moisture needs are met.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Malvaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, Wisconsin
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-6
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 4-6 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: June to July
- Bloom Description: Apple blossom to bluish pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Iliamna remota is best done in spring after the danger of hard frost has passed. Select a location that offers moderately fertile soil amended to ensure it is well-drained. While the Kankakee mallow tolerates hot and humid summers, excellent drainage is crucial to prevent root issues common to the mallow family. It is easily grown in deep, consistent beds that receive at least partial sunlight.
Watering needs for this perennial are medium; aim for consistent moisture, particularly during establishment or extended dry spells. Avoid overhead watering if possible to keep foliage dry, although Iliamna remota is generally robust. Fertilization should be approached sparingly; rich soil is often detrimental, encouraging floppy growth rather than strong flower spikes.
Maintenance is generally low for this species. Deadheading spent flowers is not strictly necessary for plant health, but may encourage a tidier appearance or a very light repeat bloom. In early spring, cut back any old, dead growth close to the ground before new shoots emerge. Few cultural interventions are needed, allowing the wild hollyhock structure to define the summer garden.
Landscape Uses
The Kankakee mallow is recommended for specialty areas within the garden, primarily due to its scarcity in commercial nurseries. Seek out this rare and interesting plant for the back of the border, where its height can provide a dramatic backdrop for shorter perennials. It excels in a naturalized garden setting or a dedicated wildflower garden, helping to celebrate this unique piece of regional flora.
Because Iliamna remota possesses a strong vertical habit, it pairs beautifully with broader, mounding plants that offer textural contrast, such as certain ornamental grasses or native coneflowers. Consider planting it near structures or against walls that can offer some physical support if required during heavy rains. Integrating the Kankakee mallow into a restoration project focusing on Illinois or Indiana natives provides significant ecological interest.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
Iliamna remota is a wild hollyhock first discovered in 1872 on a gravelly river island (Langham Island) in the Kankakee River near Altorf, Illinois, where it still grows. It is not known to be native to any other area in the world, and is one of the rarest native American plants. This clump-forming, erect plant features showy, mallow-like, five-petaled flowers up to 2.5” across on spikes growing 4-6’ tall, displaying gorgeous color variation.
Tolerances
This section is only populated if specific tolerances were provided in the source data.
Potential Problems
This plant is fortunately noted for having no significant insect or disease problems when grown in suitable locations. Gardeners should focus preventive efforts on ensuring excellent drainage, as chronically wet feet are the primary threat to successful cultivation of Iliamna remota. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which can promote weak stems susceptible to lodging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Kankakee mallow suitable for?
The Kankakee mallow (Iliamna remota) is best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 6.
How large does Kankakee mallow grow?
This species typically matures to a height between 4 and 6 feet, achieving a spread of 2 to 3 feet wide.
When does Kankakee mallow bloom?
The primary bloom period for Iliamna remota is during early summer, specifically from June into July, featuring apple blossom to bluish pink flowers.
What sun exposure does Iliamna remota need?
Iliamna remota performs best when situated in full sun, though it adapts well to partial shade conditions.
Conclusion
The Iliamna remota, or Kankakee mallow, offers gardeners a truly special opportunity to grow one of the most endangered yet strikingly beautiful native American wildflowers. Its tolerance for heat and humidity, combined with low maintenance requirements, makes it a standout feature plant. Always verify that your growing site meets the medium moisture and well-drained soil requirements before planning the planting of this conservation target.
Companion Planting
When designing a naturalized border around the Kankakee mallow, selecting companions with similar cultural needs—medium moisture and openness to part shade—is advisable. Consider pairing it with other robust upright elements like Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) for contrasting color and texture, even though the milkweed prefers drier soil. For moisture-loving partners that share the Malvaceae family’s tolerance for humidity, various types of native Hibiscus, such as Hibiscus moscheutos, can offer magnificent late-season blooms adjacent to where the Iliamna remota has finished flowering.
Wildlife Benefits
Although not explicitly detailed, plants in the Malvaceae family, especially native ones like Iliamna remota, are essential larval hosts for various butterfly populations, including the Malachite butterfly in some regions. The prominent, open structure of the mallow flowers, particularly the central stamen column, makes them extremely accessible landing platforms for a wide variety of native long-tongued bees. Planting this rare hollyhock supports local insect ecology while providing stunning, unusual blooms throughout early summer.
