Lavatera thuringiaca - Lavatera

Family:	Malvaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.8
Width:	1
Synonyms:	L. olbia. Hort.
Range:	S.E. Europe to W. Asia - Armenia to Caucasia.

Lavatera thuringiaca (Lavatera) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.8m and a width of 1m . It has a fast growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 8and is vunerable to frost.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Lavatera will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Lavatera prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Lavatera should not be planted in shady areas.

Hills, thickets and waysides[100], by streams to 2800m[93].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil[1]. Prefers a light well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun[200]. A soil that is too rich encourages foliar growth at the expense of flowering[200]. Tolerates maritime exposure[200]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[187]. There are many named forms selected for their ornamental value[200]. 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[K].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Young leaves - raw or cooked. A mild flavour, but the leaves are tough and not very worthwhile[K]. 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[K]. Flowers - raw. A pleasant mild flavour, they make a decorative addition to the salad bowl[K]. Many named cultivars have considerably larger flowers than the type species and are thus much more worthwhile for the salad bowl[K].

• Flowers -
• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[200]. 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[K]. Basal cuttings in spring. Cuttings of softwood in June/July[188].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A strong fibre is obtained from the stems, it is used for making string, bags, paper etc[74].

• Fibre - Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Cultivars

'Barnsley' - This form 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[K].

References

Flora Europaea
?
Author: ?
Rating:
Publisher : An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1964

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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