Botanical Name: Lavatera assurgentiflora
Common Name: Channel Island tree mallow, California tree mallow Type of Plant: Dicot: Shrub Character evergreen Habit of Growth: Overall Shape an erect, wide-spreading plant, with vigorous growth to produce a large, fully rounded shrub which may become treelike with age; bark is fairly smooth, grayish white; branches somewhat brittle Height 8' - 15' (20') Spread equal or more Growth Rate rapid Environment: Exposure outdoors full or partial sun Soil tolerates most except highly alkaline; prefers well-drained Hardiness hardy (zones 14-24): prefers warm coastal habitats Morphology: Leaves palmate, alternate, maple-like, 3-7 lobed; 2"-4"(6") long, dull green, coarsely toothed Flowers reddish-lavender, white and purple-striped petals; 2-2 1/2" diameter, 5-petaled, mostly solitary, axillary; April-August, intermittent Fruit oval capsule, 1/2" across Propagation: seed, semi-hardwood cuttings Usage: an excellent fast-growing background shrub or large informal hedge, valued for its flower display and easy care; can be sheared to develop a denser canopy Landscape Care: Watering occasional deep soak; very drought-resistant after established; avoid heavy watering Fertilizing little needed Pruning can leave alone; selectively head back or infrequent shear to enhance full canopy; can be trained into tree form Pests/Diseases soil root rot in wet clay soils Special Conditions/Other Origin: Southern California Islands Family: Malvaceae Notes: |
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