Meadow Checkermallow (Sidalcea campestris) is endemic to the prairie and White Oak savannahs of western Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Although successful cultivation has allowed the species to greatly expand its range, it has all but gone extinct in its native habitat. With its exceptionally tall spires of elegantly beautiful, white to baby pink flowers, Meadow Checkermallow is truly among the most regal of native wildflowers. Despite becoming increasingly rare in the wild, it is a carefree plant in cultivation and adaptable to a wide range of conditions.
 
Meadow Checkermallow blooms from late spring to early summer, typically from June to July. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, beetles, and hummingbirds. It is a potential host plant for several butterfly species, such as the Checkered Skipper (Pyrgus communis), Painted Ladies (Vanessa spp.), and the Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus). The leaves are a preferred nesting material for a few species of native solitary bees, who specifically use a paste made from the leaves to seal nest entrances. Meadow Checkermallow is also an important plant for rare native bees in the genus Diadasia, specialist pollinators of the mallow family. Additionally, the seeds of Meadow Checkermallow provide food for songbirds, while the basal foliage and vertical growth habit offer additional habitat and perches.
 
Meadow Checkermallow prefers well-drained, healthy soils but can tolerate low fertility and a range of soil types, including sandy and loamy soils. It is adaptable to both acidic and alkaline soil conditions. Seeds require a period of cold stratification and can be sown up to 1/8” deep in prepared soil in the fall or late winter. Adequate moisture, sunlight, and favorable temperatures will speed up successful establishment and encourage greater blooms the following year.