Lavatera assurgentiflora - Tree Mallow, Island Mallow
Lavatera assurgentiflora is native to the Channel Islands off the Southern California coast. The Tree Mallow will readily grow to 10 feet tall and 20 feet or more in width. The Island Mallow blooms with purple flowers Spring through Fall. The Tree Mallow tends to be rather weak stemmed and will flop rather than grow much taller. Stems will root if left in contact with the ground for a season or more. I accidentally layered a branch by stacking compost over it. Fortunately for the sake of using this plant in most yards it can be trimmed very aggressively and comes out looking great. Early Spring and Fall cuttings root easily. Our plants have not been touched by temperatures that dipped into the low 20°s F. Lavatera assurgentiflora just kept blooming straight through the whole season. Lavatera purisima is a cultivar with this plant as one of its parents. Plants will grow in light shade to full sun. Lavatera assurgentiflora is larval food for the Northern White Skipper and White Checkered Skipper, and a nectar source for migrating Painted Lady Butterflies and is a great addition to the Butterfly Garden.
Lavatera assurgentiflora known as Tree Mallow or Island Mallow . High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.
Other plants from the Lavatera Genus featured on this site:
Lavatera Barnsley
Lavatera bicolor
Lavatera purisima
Lavatera trimestris Pink Blush