Lavatera thuringiaca |
Native Region: Europe
Zone Range: 5-9
Preferred Climate: Sun to semi sun; well draining evenly moist soil.
Harvest Date: Sunday 09 November, 2008
Seed count: 25-30
Description:
Though not technically a tree in any regard, but its bushy robust form in summer can make you think otherwise. In Spring, it pushes out from the root crown multiple branching stems and by summer it looks like a bushy shrub reaching 1.3 meters in height with a 2 meter spread. Pink flowers in loose clusters appear by mid summer and the bloom will continue until Autumn. The entire plant is covered in a soft down. Plants become larger with age.
Notes:
Will grow in less than ideal conditions but plants will be smaller. Drought tolerant when established.
Cultivation:
Easy to start. Thinly sow at 5 mm deep. Keep moist. A plastic cover will greatly improve success. Germinate at 20 C. Should germinate readily in 7-14 days. Remove cover as seedlings emerge to prevent stagnant air. I prefer to grow start these in pots then prick out at the 4-5 true leaf stage to either individual pots or into a prepared garden site. Grows well with Monarda, Agastache, and Pycnanthemum.
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