Botanical Name: Lavatera bicolor (Lavatera maritima)
Common Name: Tree mallow
Type of Plant: Dicot: shrub
Character
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape An evergreen shrub with a fairly full structure - with ascending and spreading stems developing a rounded shape which becomes looser and more irregular with age unless pruned
Height 4 - 6 (8 ft.)
Spread equal or more
Growth Rate moderate- rapid
 
Environment:
Exposure full sun preferred; tolerates partial shade at inland locations
Soil prefers well-drained sites - can tolerate clay soils if not over-watered
Hardiness hardy (zones 8, 9, 14 - 24): thrives in warm sunny locations to 2500 ft.
 
Morphology:
Leaves palmate, alternate, pale green on both surfaces; have 3 - 5 lobes, with serrate margin; are 2 -3" across, with fairly long (2") petioles - provides the maple-like foliage a appearance
Flowers showy, with conspicuous hibiscus-like form; 2 - 3" wide, 5 petals and large pistil; rose-pink with dark rose-purple veining and center; spring-summer
Fruit a small capsule
 
Propagation:
softwood or semi hard-wood cuttings
 
Usage:
a large filler or informal screening shrub, valued for its light green foliage and long display of the showy flowers; best-suited for Mediterranean or sub-tropical theme gardens (cottage - theme OK)
 
Landscape Care:
Watering tolerates regular - best if given an occasional deep-soak watering (to slow the growth rate)
Fertilizing balanced in spring if plant looks chlorotic
Pruning head back in fall to control size, promote new flowering wood next year
Pests/Diseases relatively free (not as susceptible to white fly as Hibiscus spp.)
Special Conditions/Other
 
Origin: coastal areas in southern France
Family: Malvaceae
 
Notes:
 
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