Lavatera trimestris Silver Cup - Rose Mallow seeds

Annual Lavatera trimestris Silver Cup forms adorable bushes that are covered for a long period with large, round, satiny, delicate dark pink flowers veined with carmine. This easy-to-grow variety withstands wind and bad weather well. It is a beautiful addition to borders, perennial or annual flower beds, and flowering pots. Sow it under shelter or directly in moist, well-drained soil in the sun. It is ideal for novice gardeners.

Lavatera trimestris is a slightly hardy annual native to the Mediterranean region. It is related to wood mallows (Malva sylvestris) or marshmallows (Althea officinalis), belonging to the same malvaceae family. The Silver Cup variety was selected for its resistance to bad weather and its branching habit. It quickly forms a lovely, vibrant green bush that reaches 50 cm (20in) high and 35 cm (14in) wide, without needing staking. The basal leaves are almost round, while those covering the stems have palmate lobes, resembling maple leaves. It flowers from July to September (earlier in hot climates). The flowers are a satiny dark pink, veined with carmine and of a good size (10 cm (4in) in diameter), solitary in the axils of the leaves. They are short-lived, but continually renew on the plant, especially if you regularly remove faded flowers. The large seeds contained in their black, ripe capsules are easy to sow.