Tree Mallow Lavatera × clementii 'Rosea'
ABOUT
Lavatera × clementii 'Rosea', commonly known as the tree mallow, is a visually striking plant known for its profuse blooms and ornamental foliage. The blossoms of this variety carry a romantic hue, generally a soft rose-pink, which imparts a gentle splash of color wherever it grows. Each flower is quite generous in size and presents a classic, hibiscus-like shape with five broad, slightly overlapping petals that create a cupped effect. At the center of these blooms, you would typically find a prominent, contrasting stamen cluster that offers an eye-catching feature, drawing pollinators to the plant. The leaves of the tree mallow contribute to its aesthetic appeal with their grey-green color that serves as a perfect backdrop for the pink flowers. These leaves are characteristically lobed, giving them a rather rounded, somewhat heart-shaped look with a subtly serrated edge. A soft down covers the leaves, lending them a delicate felted texture that is pleasant to the touch. Overall, it's the sumptuous floral display and the lush foliage that define the appearance of tree mallow, making it a favored addition to gardens where a burst of color and a touch of romantic visual interest are desired. The plant tends to carry an almost old-world cottage charm, fitting seamlessly into various landscape designs from informal borders to more defined garden beds.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Tree Mallow, Rose Mallow, Shrub Mallow
Common names
Lavatera × clementii 'Rosea'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Tree Mallow (Lavatera × clementii 'Rosea') is not commonly known to be toxic to humans. There are no widespread reports of poisoning or adverse reactions upon ingestion of this plant. However, as with any plant, individual allergies or sensitivities could exist, and it is generally not advisable to eat ornamental plants.
To pets
The Tree Mallow (Lavatera × clementii 'Rosea') is also not commonly known to be toxic to pets. It is not listed among the poisonous plants for pets such as dogs and cats, and there is no significant concern for poisoning if pets happen to ingest portions of this plant. Of course, pet owners should always monitor their animals for unusual reactions and consult with a veterinarian if they suspect any health issues.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
6 feet (1.83 meters)
Spread
4 feet (1.22 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
6
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Lavatera × clementii 'Rosea', commonly known as the 'Tree Mallow', is attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
- Easy to Grow: This plant is known for being easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance once established.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, tree mallows are relatively drought resistant, making them suitable for xeriscaping or low-water gardens.
- Fast Growing: Tree mallows have a rapid growth rate, quickly providing structure and color to garden spaces.
- Long Blooming: With a long flowering season, Lavatera 'Rosea' provides a display of blooms from early summer to autumn, offering extended visual interest.
- Colorful Impact: Its vibrant pink flowers add a splash of color to the garden landscape, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the area.
- Suitable for Coastal Areas: Lavatera 'Rosea' is salt-tolerant, making it particularly suitable for gardens in coastal areas.
- Privacy Screening: Thanks to its size and density, it can be used as a natural privacy screen or windbreak in garden settings.
- Versatile Usage: The plant can be utilized in various garden styles, including cottage gardens, borders, or as a stand-alone specimen.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- As a natural dye: The soft pink blooms of the tree mallow can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes.
- In eco-printing: Leaves and flowers of the tree mallow can be used in eco-printing to transfer their shapes and colors onto paper or textiles through a steaming process.
- As a source of fiber: The stems of the tree mallow can potentially be used to extract fibrous material for making ropes, twines, or even paper, much like other fibrous plants.
- In companion planting: The tree mallow may attract beneficial insects to the garden, which can aid in the pollination of vegetables and other ornamental plants.
- As a teaching tool: Diverse aspects of the tree mallow, such as its growth habit, pollination mechanism, and seed dispersal, make it useful for educational purposes in plant biology.
- In art and crafts: The distinctive flowers and leaves could be used in floral arrangements or pressed flower art, providing a unique shape and color to the compositions.
- As a thematic element in landscape design: The tree mallow can be used to create a cottage garden theme or a pink color scheme in landscape designs, due to its rose-colored blooms.
- For decorative mulch: After pruning, the foliage can be shredded and used as a visually appealing mulch to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- In wildlife gardens: The tree mallow can provide a source of nectar and shelter for insects, thereby enhancing the biodiversity of a garden.
- As a photography subject: With its striking flowers, the tree mallow is an ideal subject for photographers, especially those focusing on botanical and garden photography.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Tree Mallow is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Tree Mallow is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Beauty: Lavatera, commonly known as the tree mallow, has showy, attractive flowers that symbolize beauty and admiration.
- Femininity: The soft pink colors of the 'Rosea' variety can represent delicate female beauty and grace.
- Regeneration: As a plant that can grow back after being cut down, the tree mallow is often associated with resilience and renewal.
- Overflowing Love: The abundant flowers of Lavatera 'Rosea' have been linked to the overflowing nature of love, similar to how the plant prolifically blooms.
- Protection: In some cultures, mallows are thought to symbolize protection, as people would plant them around their homes to ward off evil spirits.
WaterTree Mallow should be watered deeply once a week, providing 1 to 2 gallons per plant to ensure it reaches the root zone. During hot or dry periods, increase the frequency to twice a week. It's important to avoid overhead watering to minimize leaf wetness and reduce the risk of disease. Instead, use a soaker hose or drip irrigation at the base of the plant. In well-draining soil, Tree Mallow requires consistent moisture, but be careful not to overwater as this can lead to root rot.
LightTree Mallow thrives in full sunlight, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. It performs best when placed in a location where it can receive uninterrupted sun throughout the day. Avoiding shady spots will help ensure vibrant blooms and healthy growth.
TemperatureTree Mallow is hearty in temperatures ranging from 50°F to 95°F. It can survive a brief frost, but temperatures below 50°F for an extended period may harm the plant. Ideal growing conditions are found in temperate climates where extended periods of heat or cold are uncommon.
PruningTree Mallow should be pruned to maintain its shape and encourage bushier growth. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, removing any dead or damaged branches and cutting back about one-third of the plant to promote new blooms. Regularly deadhead spent flowers throughout the blooming season to prolong flowering.
CleaningAs needed
SoilTree Mallow 'Rosea' thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a mix of loam, peat, and sand. Ideal soil pH for Tree Mallow 'Rosea' ranges from 6.0 to 7.5.
RepottingTree Mallow 'Rosea' should be repotted every 2 to 3 years, or when it outgrows its current container.
Humidity & MistingTree Mallow 'Rosea' prefers moderate humidity levels but is adaptable to various conditions and does not require high humidity.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light and room to grow.
Outdoor
Plant in sun, sheltered spot, well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
6-9 USDA
Life cycleThe Lavatera × clementii 'Rosea', commonly known as the Rose Mallow, begins its life cycle with seed germination in late winter or early spring, under adequate conditions of moisture and temperature. The seeds sprout and the seedlings establish themselves, growing rapidly into bushy plants with heart-shaped leaves. During late spring and summer, the Rose Mallow enters its flowering stage, producing large, showy, rose-pink flowers that attract various pollinators. After pollination, the flowers develop into seed capsules by late summer or early autumn, which when mature, release seeds for the next generation. During the winter, the plant can die back, especially in colder climates; however, it can resprout from the base in the following spring if the root system is well-protected. Throughout its life cycle, the Rose Mallow may also be propagated vegetatively through cuttings, allowing gardeners to bypass the seed stage for quicker blooming.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Lavatera × clementii 'Rosea', commonly known as Tree Mallow, is best propagated during the spring season as the risk of frost has passed and the longer daylight hours can promote better growth of the cuttings. The most popular method of propagation for Tree Mallow is by softwood cuttings. Softwood cuttings are taken from new growth that is not yet woody in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be about 3 to 5 inches (approximately 7.6 to 12.7 centimeters) long, and the lower leaves should be removed. The cut end is then dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development and placed in a well-draining soil mix. It's important to keep the soil moist and the cuttings in a warm, but not hot, environment with indirect sunlight until roots are well established, which typically takes a few weeks.
