Sidalcea oregana

Common Names

Oregon Checkerbloom, Oregon Checkerbloom, Oregon Checkermallow, Oregon Checker Mallow, Oregon Checker-Mallow

Summary

Oregon checkerbloom is a native perennial herb of western North America, ranging from British Columbia to California and Utah, growing upright to about 60–120 cm tall with a stout woody taproot. It has basal and cauline leaves that are deeply lobed, and pink to magenta flowers on tall spikes that bloom in late spring to early summer, attracting pollinators and serving as a larval host for the West Coast lady butterfly.

It tolerates full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soils; propagation is easy from seed or by division, and it is deer resistant. It is used in pollinator gardens, meadowscapes, and edge plantings around orchards or vegetable gardens; hardy to Zone 4 and requires low maintenance.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

24 inches - 4 feet

Spread

8-12 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil; sandy or loamy preferred, not clay soils.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

5.0-7.0 (acid to neutral), tolerates a wide range of pH

Bloom Color

Pink

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts butterflies and bees, and supports other pollinators including a specialist native bee and bumble bees