Lavatera, Tree lavatera
Lavatera thuringiaca

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

Lavatera thuringiaca is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.8 m (6ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 1.8

Where it is found

Hills, thickets and waysides, by streams to 2800 metres.

S.E. Europe to W. Asia - Armenia to Caucasia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Young leaves - raw or cooked. A mild flavour, but the leaves are tough and not very worthwhile. Leaves of the cultivar 'Barnsley' are less tough and are reasonably tasty, a plant at Kew had also produced quite a few leaves in the winter and so it is a potential winter salad. Flowers - raw. A pleasant mild flavour, they make a decorative addition to the salad bowl. Many named cultivars have considerably larger flowers than the type species and are thus much more worthwhile for the salad bowl.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 1

A strong fibre is obtained from the stems, it is used for making string, bags, paper etc.

Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

How it is grown

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil. Prefers a light well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun. A soil that is too rich encourages foliar growth at the expense of flowering. Tolerates maritime exposure. Plants are hardy to about -20°c. There are many named forms selected for their ornamental value. The cultivar 'Barnsley' usually produces new shoots from the base in the autumn and winter. It is therefore a potential winter salad plant, though the texture of the leaves is not that wonderful.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Germination is usually quick and good. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. Basal cuttings in spring. Cuttings of softwood in June/July.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

L. olbia. Hort.