Introducing...
Lavatera
Botanical name: Lavatera
Common name: Tree mallow
Enjoy the masses of mallow-like flowers of Lavatera in shades of white and pink, offset by grey-green leaves. Most popular are the shrubby forms which make a pretty summer show in mixed borders or cottage style gardens. Lavatera are also annuals, perennials and tender shrubs.
Looks
The white or pink, sometimes veined with darker pink, flowers are shaped like single hollyhocks. Bushy forms reach around 2m (6⅔m) in height, smaller patio cultivars about half the size. The rather misleadingly named 'tree lavatera', Lavatera thuringiaca, is a tall, upright herbaceous perennial. Shorter annual lavatera are used as bedding plants.
Likes
Lavatera prefer free-draining soils and sunshine. Sheltered sites are best as taller plants can suffer windrock.
Dislikes
These plants don't like soils that are waterlogged in winter or exposed windy places.
Did you know?
Shrubby Lavatera maritima with its with glamourous mauve and cerise flowers needs a mild region to survive outdoors in winter. Elsewhere it's a good container plant that can be brought into a greenhouse for the winter to keep the worst of the weather off.
Growing guide
How to grow lavatera
All the information you'll need to grow and care for lavatera in your garden
Award of Garden Merit Lavatera
Lavatera × clementii 'Rosea'
tree mallow 'Rosea'
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 1.5–2.5 metres
Lavatera trimestris 'Silver Cup'
tree mallow 'Silver Cup'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Lavatera × clementii 'Rosea'
tree mallow 'Rosea'
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 1.5–2.5 metres
Lavatera trimestris 'Silver Cup'
tree mallow 'Silver Cup'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Choosing plants for dry shade
Planting combinations for early summer
Shade planting: shrubs
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