Turk’s Cap

Malvaviscus drummondi | Synonym: Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii

Other Names: Turk’s Cap, Drummond Wax-mallow, Texas Mallow, Mexican Apple, Red Mallow, May Apple, Wild Turk’s Cap, Bleeding Heart

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-11 Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Perennial Shrub, Evergreen in Zones 9a to 11, Deciduous in Zones 7a to 8b, Annual in zones 6b and further north

Height at Maturity: Zones 7a to 8b: 2-3′ | Zones 9a to 11: 5-9′

Width at Maturity: 3-5′
Spacing: 2.5 to 3′ for mass plantings, 7’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Upright

Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast

Flower Color: Red

Flower Size: 1″

Flowering Period: Zones 9a to 11: Year Round | Zones 7a-8b: Summer to Frost

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: Yes

Berry Color: Red

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Shade!

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt (amended)

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well-Drained Moist, Well-Drained Dry

Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.5 (Moderately to Slightly Acid)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Pollinators

Resistances: Deer, Disease, Drought, Heat, Humidity, Insect, Rabbit

Description

A highly adaptable and exceptionally easy-to-grow North American Native perennial flowering shrub both the hummingbirds and butterflies will thank you for planting, Turk’s Cap produces an abundance of vermillion red flowers from early summer to frost! In frost-free climates it is evergreen and will bloom year round. The truly unique flowers have twisting petals that resemble a traditional Turkish hat, hence the name. What’s more, Turk’s Cap is not fussy about soil type, will grow and flower in full sun or shade, is highly resistant to pest and disease, and is drought tolerant when established.

Turk’s Cap leaves have been used as an emmolient and in Mexico the flowers are used to treat inflammation of the digestive tract and as a menstrual aid. The marble-size red fruit is edible and is enjoyed by a number of birds and animals. The flowers are an excellent nectar source for hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 2 to 3 feet tall in colder climates and 5 to 9 feet tall in frost-free zones, Turk’s Cap is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings or as a hedge in sunny or shady landscape and perennial borders. Also suitable for growing in pots, planters and other containers. A fine addition to hummingbird and butterfly gardens, red theme gardens, container gardens, cottage gardens, perennial gardens, rock gardens, wildflower gardens, and sunny woodland borders. In it’s north American habitat from the Texas Coastal Plain to East Florida it can be found growing in sandy low grounds near streams, limestone slopes around wooded creeks and even palm groves.

Suggested Spacing: 3 to 3.5 feet apart for groupings; 7 feet or more apart for space between plants

Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Zone 7a, where this plant is not reliably winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.

Growing Preferences

Turk’s Cap is very easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained soil and full sun or shade! When growing in the ground it has good drought tolerance when established. Keep an eye on plants growing in containers and provide water if you see the foliage begin to wilt. Feed in spring and again in early summer with a slow-release flower food or natural or organic plant food. Prune as needed for shaping purposes.

Helpful Articles

Plant Turk’s Cap as you would Salvia plants…

How To Plant Perennial Salvia & Sage Plants

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us!

Received plants in very good condition and planted according to instructions. The plants are doing surprisingly well considering our 100+ degree temperatures. I have been watering a little more because of this and wilting some during the heat of the day. I am looking forward to when they start blooming, don’t know if it will be this summer or starting next spring.————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy your purchase for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The plants are growing well despite the hot coastal heat. They get morning sun and afternoon shade. Seems to suit them well. I think it is going to be a great addition to my butterfly garden. I am waiting patiently for them to bloom.——————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Just like all other deliveries from Wilson Bros Gardens, all five plants arrived very healthy and seem to be enjoying their new home. We located them in in a shaded area similar to our hydrangeas. Since then, they have grown about 50% after only a couple of weeks. We look forward to seeing them bloom and provide more food for our hummingbirds. Thank you Wilson Bros for making my heart smile and eyes shine.——————————————————————You’re very welcome! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG