Eagle Lake Nurseries Gardening Tips

April 2006

Lovely Lavatera

Lavatera is a bushy plant, growing to 75cm tall, with large hollyhock-like flowers. Colors are commonly available in white and pink shades.

I've had many favorable comments and questions about this plant in my own yard when its beautiful flowers are in bloom. Lavatera is one of those plants that dislikes having its roots disturbed so direct sowing outside is the best method of growing it. It's very rewarding to create an abundant show of flowers from just one package of seeds. My father-in-law liked the lavatera growing in my garden so much that he easily collected seeds from my plants at the end of the season and now has a beautiful display of lavatera of his own to enjoy year after year. Another added bonus is that once the flowers of lavatera finish, they generously drop their seeds, bestowing their gift of flowers to the next growing season. These seeds will germinate and grow quickly in your garden providing that visual impact you are looking for while summer is still upon us. Sow outside in early to mid-May for stunning blossoms in July, August and September. Lavatera grows best in full sun.

Here are some great choices of lavatera seeds available this year at Eagle Lake Nurseries Garden Center.
Lavatera trimestris 'Loveliness' - Nice deep pink color
Lavatera trimestris 'Silver Cup' - Lightly veined silvery-pink blossoms
Lavatera trimestris 'Ruby Regis' - Dark pink flowers with deeper veining
Lavatera trimestris 'Parade Mixed' - Mix of white colors and different shades of pink
Lavatera trimestris 'Mont Blanc' - Pure white flowers.
If you have a large bare space in your landscape or gaps to fill and don't want to spend a fortune in mature plants then seed a colorful display of Lavatera.

Try some of these cultivars and they will surely be a mainstay in your garden for years to come.

Jennifer Seafoot
Eagle Lake Nurseries Ltd.