Oregon checkermallow Sidalcea oregana is a beautiful, upright perennial native to moist meadows, streambanks, and open forest edges. In British Columbia, it is rare and considered threatened or endangered in the wild. Though at risk in its native habitats, this elegant wildflower grows readily in gardens and restoration sites, offering both beauty and ecological value.

Soft pink, cup-shaped flowers bloom in early to mid-summer and are beloved by pollinators. Oregon checkermallow is a host to a specialist native bee, Diadasia diminuta, which collects pollen exclusively from plants in the mallow (Malvaceae) family. It also supports bumble bees and a diversity of other native pollinators during its long bloom window. Because checkermallows are such important resources for this specialist relationship, planting them in appropriate gardens and wetland edges can help support both the bee and plant populations.

KinSeed plants are grown from locally collected seed, helping preserve local genetic diversity and ensuring plants are well-adapted to the conditions of the West Kootenay. Never collect from the wild—ethical propagation is essential for species at risk. With moist soil and sun to part shade, Sidalcea oregana will thrive in garden settings while helping conserve a plant with deep ecological and biogeographic roots in Western North America