Tree Mallow
Lavatera maritima
Also known as Sea Mallow
Climate Match for your location
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A vigorous Mediterranean shrub with soft, gray-green foliage and abundant pink or lavender mallow flowers throughout warm months. Excellent for coastal gardens and drought-tolerant landscapes.
Why grow it
Tree mallow offers reliable summer flowering and drought tolerance once established, making it a lower-maintenance alternative to many ornamental shrubs in Mediterranean and coastal climates. Compared to hybrid mallows, it tolerates poor soils and salt spray better, though it flowers somewhat later in the season and requires more aggressive pruning to maintain compact form.
Watch out for
This plant responds well to hard pruning in spring but can become leggy if left unpruned for several years. In humid or poorly draining conditions, it is prone to root rot and fungal issues, so ensure sharp drainage and good air circulation around the plant.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Malvaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean region, North Africa
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
pH Range
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A vigorous Mediterranean shrub with soft, gray-green foliage and abundant pink or lavender mallow flowers throughout warm months. Excellent for coastal gardens and drought-tolerant landscapes.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Tree Mallow grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Tree mallow offers reliable summer flowering and drought tolerance once established, making it a lower-maintenance alternative to many ornamental shrubs in Mediterranean and coastal climates. Compared to hybrid mallows, it tolerates poor soils and salt spray better, though it flowers somewhat later in the season and requires more aggressive pruning to maintain compact form.
Watch out for
This plant responds well to hard pruning in spring but can become leggy if left unpruned for several years. In humid or poorly draining conditions, it is prone to root rot and fungal issues, so ensure sharp drainage and good air circulation around the plant.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Malvaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean region, North Africa
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
pH Range
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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