Lavatera trimestris Collection - Rose Mallow

The Loveliness Compact Mix Lavatera trimestris is a selection of annual mallow chosen from the best varieties: 'Silver Cup' with deep pink flowers veined with carmine, 'Mont Blanc' with pure white flowers, and 'Ruby Regis' with a very bright carmine red. All three, compact and bushy, form small bushes that are covered with large, round, satin flowers for a long period of time, visible from afar. Easy to sow and cultivate, resistant to wind and bad weather, these Lavateras are an adornment for borders, perennial or annual flower beds, and flower pots.

Lavatera trimestris is a non-hardy annual mallow native to the Mediterranean region. It is a cousin of wood mallows (Malva sylvestris) or marshmallows (Althea officinalis), all of which belong to the same family of Malvaceae. In France, the botanical species Malva trimestris can be found in cultivated fields along the coast of Provence and Roussillon, as well as in Corsica, on rather limestone soil. The 'Loveliness Compact' mix was selected for its resistance to bad weather and its branching habit. Each plant forms a lovely, bright green bush 50cm in height and 35cm in width in just a few weeks, without requiring staking. The basal leaves are almost round, while those that line the stems have palmate lobes, resembling maple leaves. Flowering occurs from July to September-October (earlier in hot and dry climates). The flowers have a satin, slightly shiny texture. They measure approximately 8-10cm in diameter and open solitarily in the axils of the leaves. They are short-lived, but continuously renew on the plant, especially when faded flowers are regularly removed. The large seeds contained in their black, mature capsules are easy to collect and sow.