September 2023

Turk’s Cap, as we commonly call it here at BGO, has many common names which include, Turkcap, Turk’s Turban, Wax Mallow, Ladies Teardrop and Scotchman’s Purse. No matter what you call this perennial native to South Western USA, it is certainly a conversation plant when it starts to flower mid summer to first frost.

It is a winter sensitive plant only hardy to USDA Zone 7, which is south of us. To maintain this plant, after the first frost, prune it to the ground and apply a 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch, giving it a good blanket for the winter. Turk’s Cap is slow to wake up in the spring. Since this plant loves moisture, leave the mulch in place which also aids in weed control.

Turk’s Cap will do best in compost amended soil. A light application of fertilizer in the spring is all this plant need to yield bounties of red flowers.

Here at BGO you will find Turk’s Cap in the Children’s garden. It’s a natural fit to be in the Children’s garden because young gardeners love to say its name and can associate the common name with the shape of the flower. To keep it from flopping over onto the sidewalk, we have braced it with bamboo sticks. 

Berni Kurz

Director of Horticulture

Botanical Garden of the Ozarks