Anisodontea 'Candy Apple'

Anisodontea 'Candy Apple' is one of those plants that seems to know exactly how to brighten a border without making a fuss about it. This charming cape mallow carries a long succession of open, satiny flowers in a sumptuous near-red pink, each petal traced with dark red veining and centred with a rich, heart-like eye. The effect is vivid, velvety and surprisingly refined, especially against its softly textured grey-green foliage. Anisodontea capensis 'Candy Apple' has an airy, lightly shrubby habit that keeps it looking graceful rather than heavy, so it slips beautifully into relaxed planting schemes, sunny courtyard pots or mixed borders where a little warmth and colour are very welcome.

Flowering generously over many months, Anisodontea 'Candy Apple' is particularly useful for weaving late-season richness through the garden, when some plants are beginning to look a touch tired. Its elegant blooms draw the eye without shouting, pairing especially well with grasses, dusky purples and silver-leaved companions. In a sheltered, sunny position, Anisodontea 'Candy Apple' quickly becomes a dependable feature, offering that slightly exotic, painterly look gardeners are always rather pleased to claim as effortless. Whether planted in a decorative container near the door or nestled among perennials in a warm border, Anisodontea capensis 'Candy Apple' earns its place with remarkable ease and a great deal of charm.