What is this pretty plant, please?

 Can anyone identify this pretty little flower? I was walking down the road when my friend spotted it and luckily I had my camera with me. It looks like it may be an herbaceous perennial but other than that I haven't a clue. The flowers are only about the size of a 10p piece. sorry about the picture quality, I'm not very good at bending these days!

I think it one of the Mallows/Malva - it is very pretty

http://theseedsite.co.uk/profile370.html

Pam x

I agree 

lovely plants, I grew one from seed mistakenly thought it was a hollyhock Very easy to grow will be collecting seed of my one for next year

Slugs don't touch them in my garden

I love the purply ones

Pam x

Does anyone know if they will grow in poor soil under a tree ? Kate suggested oxeye daisies and I think the blue ones would look really nice along side them.

Malvas need lots of sun. For shade, you'd be better off with perennial geraniums (cranesbills), some of which have quite similar flowers to the malva in your picture. If it is really dry soil, right under trees, you may need to add some decent soil or some good compost and also water whatever yoju plant there regularly until it is established. if you choose well, you can get cranesbills that flower for months. 

The slugs on the whole have left it alone and it grew with no care just outside the garden gate. It is underneath some trees but does get a fair bit sun

Thanks for all your very helpful replies, and the link. I shall show this to my friend, who I am sure will be absolutely delighted. She loves her garden and no doubt she will be back to collect a few seeds in due course!