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Lavatera maritima (Tree mallow) - A large mounding evergreen fast-growing sterile shrub that grows to 6-8 feet tall and 8-12 feet wide with gray-green leaves that are palmately lobed and light lavender-pink flowers that have lavender centers and lavender veins radiating from the centers. These flowers bloom year-round with the peak bloom period in early spring to late fall.
Plant in sun or part shade, water moderately. It is hardy down to about 20 degrees F. This plant is great for a fast and showy filler plant, but usually does not last more than 5 years.
The true Lavatera maritima is native to the Mediterranean region from Algeria, Baleares, Corse, France, Italy, Morocco, Sardegna, Spain and Tunisia and since Martin Forbes Ray's 1998 article published in NOVON titled "New Combinations in Malva (Malvaceae: Malvae)", all Lavatera species were reclassified as a species in the genus Malva and Lavatera maritima became as Malva subovata, but the plant in cultivation under this name is thought to actually be a hybrid of uncertain origin because of its reflexed bicolor petal lobes. It is certainly thought to have affinities to Lavatera maritima and is sometimes listed as Lavatera aff. maritima 'Bicolor' and is possibly a cross between Lavatera maritima (Malva subovata) and Lavatera acerifolia (Malva acerifolia). The name for the original genus was one that Carl Linnaeus in published in 1753 to honor the Lavater brothers, Johann Heinrich (1611-1691) and Johann Jacob (1594-1636) who were Swiss physicians and naturalists. The genus Malva is a Latin name for mallow, which has since become the common name for this group of plants. We grew this plant from 1988 until 2012 and only discontinued it as we began to recognize is typically short lifespan in the garden.
The information displayed on this page about Lavatera maritima is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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