Callirhoe Involucrata

Purple poppy mallow, or winecups, forms a broad, trailing mat of deeply cut foliage covered from late spring into summer with vivid wine-purple, cup-shaped flowers, each centred by a small white eye. The stems spread across gravel, spill over walls or weave between neighbouring plants, while the deep taproot gives exceptional drought resistance. Native to the prairies and rocky ground of central North America, it provides nectar for bees and butterflies and acts as a host plant for the grey hairstreak. Once established it is remarkably resilient but should be left undisturbed.