Pavonia multiflora Jussieu

RHS Plant Profile

many-flowered pavonia

RHS 1984

Shrubs Conservatory Greenhouse

A lax evergreen shrub with long, lance-shaped leaves and solitary reddish-purple flowers to 6cm across, with showy red calyx and epicalyx segments, in late summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Malvaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Pavonia can be evergreen shrubs or perennials with linear to ovate leaves and bell-shaped flowers, each with a bell-shaped calyx and prominent epicalyx segments, solitary or in terminal panicles in summer
Name Status: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright filtered light with high humidity. Water freely when in growth and keep just moist in winter. May need restrictive pruning

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 19 to 24°C in spring or root semi-hardwood cuttings in summer with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free