Lavatera Flowers

Flower Description

• Lavatera flowers are delicate and come in a wide variety of colors. According to Botany, the most popular type of lavatera has large rose-colored flowers. However, other cultivars like "White Beauty" and "Silver Cup" have white flowers, while other cultivars like "Mont Rose" and "Ruby Regis" bloom with dark magenta, hibiscus-like flowers. Lavatera flowers usually have a span of 3 to 4 inches. Other lavatera cultivars may have purple or blue flowers, although pink and white are the most common.

Blooming Times

• Specific bloom times vary based on the type of lavatera you plant. For example, tree lavatera, or Lavatera thuringiaca, blooms in midsummer into the autumn months. Other varieties, like Lavatera trimestris, bloom in the late winter and spring. According to the Washington State University Whatcom Extension, L. thuringiaca "Barnsley" has been noted as one of the longest-blooming perennials in the Northwest, where it blooms from early July to the late-autumn months with bright pink flowers.

Other Plant Characteristics

• In addition to its flowers, lavatera has a number of other desirable qualities. Its foliage is also distinctive, with robust evergreen leaves. The tree varieties can grow as high as 6 feet. Some of the shrub varieties are ideal for landscaping purposes as well as ornamental uses. For example, L. assurgentiflora, a shrub variety that grows up to 10 feet tall, blooms with rose and purple flowers and is also ideal for use as a windbreak.

Care

• To optimize lavatera blooming periods, provide consistent care throughout the growing season. Although specific requirements vary from plant to plant, lavatera generally prefer well-drained soil sites with plenty of sunlight. Although some cultivars are drought tolerant, ideally you should try to keep the soil moist. Prune any damaged branches back in early spring, and avoid overfertilizing. According to Botany, overly rich soil will decrease blooming rates and increase the amount of foliage. Visit your local gardening center to determine the best lavatera variety for your area.