Common mallow is often found on waste ground, roadside verges and gardens. Its deep pink, stripey flowers provide nectar for insects throughout the summer. 
Indoor Sowing: Fill pots or trays with compost. After soaking the pots in water and allowing them to drain, sow the seeds on the surface and cover with a fine layer of sieved compost. Maintain surface moisture without waterlogging. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into 7cm pots. Plant them in their permanent positions during early summer.
Direct Sowing: Alternatively, sow seeds in late spring in a well-raked bed with fine, crumbly soil. Scatter the seeds, lightly rake the surface, and firmly press down. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to 45cm apart.