Malva alcea common in drier soils in thickets, along paths and in waste places. Natural hybrids with the closely related "Malva moschata" are occasionally found. In central Europe it grows at altitudes of up to 2,000 m. It has been widely grown outside of its native range as an ornamental plant. Several cultivars exist such as 'Fastigata', an upright form, and 'Alba', a white flowered form. In some areas, such as the northeastern United States, the plant has escaped from cultivation and become naturalised. It is very similar to, and often confused with "Malva moschata". Malva alcea Malva alcea (greater musk-mallow, cut-leaved
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Friends, Peter Pan, Aurora and Prince Phillip, Beauty and the Beast, Woody, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Lady and the Tramp, The Lion King, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Year of the Ram, and Troll topiaries, as well as the Butterfly Garden. It was also the debut of the Garden Rocks Concert Series, which replaced the Flower Power Concert Series. The 2016 festival introduced a Huey, Dewey, and Louie topiary, a Ranger Mickey Mouse topiary to celebrate the National Park Service centennial, Floral Sun garden, and the “Fab Five” play garden. The 2017 festival introduced a Figment topiary, re-imagined princess