Plant in sun or part shade, water moderately. It is hardy down to about 20 degrees F. This plant is great for a fast and showy filler plant, but usually does not last more than 5 years.

The true Lavatera maritima is native to the Mediterranean region from Algeria, Baleares, Corse, France, Italy, Morocco, Sardegna, Spain and Tunisia and since Martin Forbes Ray's 1998 article published in NOVON titled "New Combinations in Malva (Malvaceae: Malvae)", all Lavatera species were reclassified as a species in the genus Malva and Lavatera maritima became as Malva subovata, but the plant in cultivation under this name is thought to actually be a hybrid of uncertain origin because of its reflexed bicolor petal lobes. It is certainly thought to have affinities to Lavatera maritima and is sometimes listed as Lavatera aff. maritima 'Bicolor' and is possibly a cross between Lavatera maritima (Malva subovata) and Lavatera acerifolia (Malva acerifolia). The name for the original genus was one that Carl Linnaeus in published in 1753 to honor the Lavater brothers, Johann Heinrich (1611-1691) and Johann Jacob (1594-1636) who were Swiss physicians and naturalists. The genus Malva is a Latin name for mallow, which has since become the common name for this group of plants. We grew this plant from 1988 until 2012 and only discontinued it as we began to recognize is typically short lifespan in the garden. 

The information about Lavatera maritima that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.