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Lavatera spp.

tree mallow

Malvaceae

Mediterranean region, with species in Asia, Australia, and the Americas

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–9

Overview

Lavatera is a genus of annuals, biennials, and short-lived shrubs in the mallow family (Malvaceae), native to the Mediterranean region, with species in Asia, Australia, and the Americas; many are now classified under Malva spp.. Plants range from bushy annuals 2-4 feet (60-120 cm) tall to woody shrubs reaching 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m), with soft, often gray-green, lobed and downy leaves. Through summer and into autumn they carry a long succession of broad, funnel-shaped flowers 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) across in shades of pink, rose, mauve, and white, each with five notched petals and darker veins, much like small hollyhocks. The flowers are followed by ring-shaped clusters of seeds. The genus grows quickly on coastal cliffs, disturbed ground, and dry slopes, tolerating wind, salt, and poor soil. Plants need full sun and free-draining soil and bloom heavily, but are often short-lived, the shrubby kinds tending to become woody and sparse after a few years. Hard frost kills the tender species.

Native Range

Lavatera spp. is native mainly to the Mediterranean region, with outlying species in central Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Plants grow on coastal cliffs, rocky slopes, and disturbed ground, often near the sea.

Suggested Uses

Lavatera spp. is grown in sunny borders, coastal and gravel gardens, and as fast-growing, short-term filler in new plantings. The annual species are used in bedding and as cut flowers, while shrubby kinds give quick height and a long flowering season.

How to Identify

Look for a fast-growing bushy plant or soft-wooded shrub with downy, gray-green lobed leaves and a long summer succession of broad, funnel-shaped pink to white flowers with five notched, dark-veined petals. The hollyhock-like flowers and ring-shaped seed clusters identify the genus. Shrubby species develop soft, woody stems that grow leggy with age.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 10'

Width/Spread2' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Summer Fall

Lavatera spp. flowers heavily from early summer into autumn, often June through September. The funnel-shaped pink, rose, or white flowers open in long succession along the stems, with new buds replacing spent flowers for many weeks. Deadheading and full sun prolong the bloom.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pink, rose, mauve, or white

Foliage Description

gray-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Lavatera spp. in full sun on light, free-draining soil; it tolerates poor, dry, and coastal ground and resists wind and salt. Water young plants until established, then only in extended drought, as rich, moist soil produces soft growth and fewer flowers. Stake tall shrubby species in exposed sites. Cut shrubby kinds back hard in spring to limit legginess and renew flowering wood. The annual and tender species are killed by frost, while hardier shrubs survive to about USDA zone 7 with shelter.

Pruning

Prune shrubby Lavatera spp. hard in mid-spring, cutting the previous year's stems back by half or more to keep the plant compact and free-flowering. Remove frost-damaged or dead wood at the same time. Deadhead through summer to extend the bloom.