Lavatera

The genus Lavatera has up to 25 species-herbaceous semi-shrubby annual, biennial and perennial low-resistant plants with characteristic funnel-shaped flowers. Lavatera arborea (Lavatera arborea) is a biennial semi-shrub plant up to 3 m tall, with velvety separately lobed pubescent leaves. Purple-pink flowers are collected in panicles up to 90 cm long; they bloom from April to July. The leaves of the variety 'Mottled' are covered with light green and white-cream spots. Lavatera olbia (L. olbia) is a perennial semi-shrub species with branched pubescent long elongated stems covered with pubescent four - and five-lobed leaves. The flowers are colored red-purple. Lavatera Thuringensis (L. thuringiaca) is a perennial erect shrub up to 2 m high, the stem is strong, branching with pubescent gray-green leaves and dark pink flowers up to 5 cm in diameter, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences up to 90 cm long. Blooms from July to October. Three-month-old lavatera (L. trimetris) is an annual erect herbaceous shrub, 80-120 cm high, profusely branching. The lower leaves are rounded heart - shaped, the upper leaves are three - and five-lobed. Pink axillary single, up to 10 cm in diameter flowers bloom all summer. There are white or pink flowers of various shades. 'Pink beauty' is a dwarf root-springing variety up to 60 cm tall, with large light pink flowers with a purple core and veins inside. 'Mixed' is a mixture of varieties with differently colored flowers.

The genus Lavatera has up to 25 species-herbaceous semi-shrubby annual, biennial and perennial low-resistant plants with characteristic funnel-shaped flowers.

Lavatera arborea (Lavatera arborea) is a biennial semi-shrub plant up to 3 m tall, with velvety separately lobed pubescent leaves. Purple-pink flowers are collected in panicles up to 90 cm long; they bloom from April to July. The leaves of the variety 'Mottled' are covered with light green and white-cream spots.

Lavatera olbia (L. olbia) is a perennial semi-shrub species with branched pubescent long elongated stems covered with pubescent four - and five-lobed leaves. The flowers are colored red-purple.

Lavatera Thuringensis (L. thuringiaca) is a perennial erect shrub up to 2 m high, the stem is strong, branching with pubescent gray-green leaves and dark pink flowers up to 5 cm in diameter, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences up to 90 cm long. Blooms from July to October.

Three-month-old lavatera (L. trimetris) is an annual erect herbaceous shrub, 80-120 cm high, profusely branching. The lower leaves are rounded heart - shaped, the upper leaves are three - and five-lobed. Pink axillary single, up to 10 cm in diameter flowers bloom all summer. There are white or pink flowers of various shades. 'Pink beauty' is a dwarf root-springing variety up to 60 cm tall, with large light pink flowers with a purple core and veins inside. 'Mixed' is a mixture of varieties with differently colored flowers.

Cultivation

Plants of the genus Lavatera are grown in the open ground: they are often designed for niches of walls and fences, used to decorate unsightly places, in mixborders. They prefer non-moist, water-permeable soils, without excess nitrogen, otherwise the green aboveground part of the plants will develop excessively to the detriment of flowering. In cold climates, the Lavatera is covered for the winter and the soil surface is mulched with a suitable material.

Location

They grow well in the open sun and partial shade.

Temperature

Plants are resistant to high air temperature.

Watering

It is only needed during periods of prolonged drought.

Reproduction

Propagate by seed; sow previously on the ridges or immediately to a permanent place. Perennial and biennial species are sown first in boxes that are kept in a cool closed room. Planted in the ground in early or late summer. At a young age, lavatera easily tolerates transplanting.

Propagate by seed; sow previously on the ridges or immediately to a permanent place. Perennial and biennial species are sown first in boxes that are kept in a cool closed room. Planted in the ground in early or late summer.

At a young age, lavatera easily tolerates transplanting.

Diseases

When affected by rust, pustules appear on the leaves and stems, from which "rusty" dust - fungal spores-is poured out during cracking. Chemicals are used to fight the infection.

Acquisition

Seeds of plants of the genus Lavatera can be found in gardening centers or specialty stores. Check their shelf life; remember that lavatera seeds retain germination for 3-5 years. Seedlings are also sold, which must be immediately planted in the ground.