Mallows

Lavatera ( Tree Mallow )

* photos of unknown internet source



Lavatera olbia
An upright, bushy shrub, reaching up to 4 feet, that is native to Portugal and Spain.
The rounded leaves are rich green.
The purplish-pink flowers, up to 3 inches across, are borne in masses, mid-summer to late autumn.
Lavateras are best planted outdoors during spring after any chance of frost has passed in order to have a long time to establish before the next winter. Where frost occurs, a winter mulch is recommended to prevent frost heaving. Propagation is from seed collected upon ripening and turning black. They are then placed in an envelope and stored in a dark, cool, dry place such as a garage where they wont freeze. Lavateras prefer hot summers and may suffer fungal wilt where summers are cool. They can be sown indoors in early spring in a sunny window or outdoors once there is no more chance of any frost.

Lavatera thuringiaca

Barnsley
A woody-based perennial, reaching a maximum height of 10 x 8 feet, bearing white ( with red center ) flowers, up to 2 inches across, from early summer to mid autumn.
The gray-green, palmately-lobed leaves are up to 5 inches in length.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 ( protected site with deep winter mulch in 5 ) in full sun on just about any well drained soil. Cut back hard to a height of 6 inches, during early spring. Propagation is easily done from cuttings.

Burgundy Wine
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 5 feet, with deep red flowers borne all summer long.
The foliage is gray-green.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 ( protected site with deep winter mulch in 5 ) in full sun on just about any well drained soil.

Kew Rose
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 13 ( rarely over 10 ) feet, with purple stems bearing deep pink flowers.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 ( protected site with deep winter mulch in 5 ) in full sun on just about any well drained soil.

Sense
A vigorous, compact perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3.5 feet.
The flowers are pink.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 ( protected site with deep winter mulch in 5 ) in full sun on just about any well drained soil.

Malva ( Rose Mallows )

Malva alcea Fastigiata ( Hollyhock Mallow )
An upright form of a very vigorous common perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 4 feet, that is native to southern Europe. Older clumps can produce as many as 40 stalks.
The toothed, deeply-lobed, Maple-like leaves, up to 6 inches across, are bright green.
The abundant, rosy-pink, bowl-shaped flowers, up to 3 inches across, are borne on up to 40 upright stalks from early summer until autumn frosts.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade.
Heat and drought tolerant, it is very easy to grow. Cut back to the basal leaves after flowering. It is rarely bothered by pests or disease.
Propagation is from seed or stem cuttings.

Malva moschata ( Musk Mallow )
A fast spreading to invasive, upright, rounded bushy perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3.5 x 4.5 + feet, that is native to Europe. It makes a good container plant if not overwatered.
The deeply-cut leaves, up to 4 inches in length, are mid-green.
The musky-scented, pink ( less often lavender ), bowl-shaped flowers, up to 2.3 inches across, are borne all summer long.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on just about any well drained soil. Cut back after first flush of blooms to encourage rebloom. It is rarely bothered by pests or disease. Propagation is from seed or stem cuttings.
Cut back during late summer as they can sometimes spend excessive energy on seed production leading to death of the plant.

Alba
White flowers, otherwise identical.

* photos taken on Aug 1 2013 in Stratford, Ontario

Rosea
Pink flowers.

Malva sylvestris

Brave
A perennial, reaching up to 5 feet in height.
It bears rosy-pink ( with purple veins ) flowers, up to 2 inches wide, from early summer to fall frosts.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun on just about any well drained soil. It is both tolerant of drought and hot humid summers.

var. mauritaniana
An impressive, upright perennial, reaching up to 4 x 2.5 feet, that is native to northern Africa.
The large, intense red-purple, single, hollyhock-like flowers, up to 1 inch across, are borne mid summer into late autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 ( tolerating as low as -40 F ) in full sun to partial shade on just about any well drained soil.
Cut back during late summer as they can sometimes spend excessive energy on seed production leading to death of the plant and in fact it sometimes does grow as an annual or biennial.

* photos taken on July 14 2013 in Harford Co., MD

Malva sylvestris Zebrina
Reaching up to 3 feet in height, its sturdy upright stems bears bright pink ( boldly-veined deep red ) flowers from mid-summer until autumn frost.
The palmate foliage resembling that of Maples is glossy green.

Sphaeralcea

Sphaeralcea coccinea
Also called Malvastrum coccineum. A shrubby perennial, reaching up to 1 x 1.5 feet, that is native from southern Canada to Arizona.
The pinnate leaves are gray-green.
The red flowers are borne on short racemes during summer.
The stems are grayish-white felted.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 in full sun.

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Sphaeralcea munroana ( Munro Globe Mallow )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3.5 x 3 feet, that is native to the western U.S.
The deeply-toothed and 5-lobed leaves are hairy and green.
The scarlet-red, saucer-shaped flowers are borne during mid-summer.
The stems are gray.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 in full sun. Very drought tolerant due to its deep taproot. Clay tolerant.
Cut back to near ground during early spring. Deer resistant.

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