Tree Mallow Malva trimestris
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Tree Mallow:
Previously known as:
- Lavatera trimestris
- Phonetic Spelling
- MAL-vuh try-MES-tris
- Description
-
Tree Mallow is a flowering, upright, annual in the Mallow family with a shrubby appearance that is native to the Mediterranean. Tree Mallow can reach a height of 4 feet with a 3 foot spread and may need staking or support. It is noted for its summer to early fall bloom of ornamental, saucer-shaped, white to pink, 3 inch flowers. The rounded, medium green, 3 inch leaves have heart-shaped bases and 3 to 7 shallow lobes.
Tree Mallow does best in average, moist to dry, well-drained soil in full sun, although the plant will benefit from some afternoon shade in locations where summers are hot. Although the plant can be grown in many USDA zones, it does prefer summers where the nights are cool and rain is moderate. Tree Mallow can tolerate nutritionally poor soil and maritime exposure.
You can sow seed directly in the garden two weeks before the last frost date, but to encourage an early bloom, you should start seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before last frost date. Deadhead spent flowers to extend bloom period. The plant can self-seed in some areas.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Susceptible to Japanese Beetles. Root rot and leaf spots may occur.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Splendens
- Splendens
- Splendens
- Tags:
![Lavatera trimestris](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Lavatera-trimestris-1--Maja-Dumat--CC-BY.jpg)
![Lavatera trimestris](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Lavatera-trimestris--Maja-Dumat--CC-BY.jpg)
![Lavatera trimestris](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Lavatera-trimestris-1--Robert-Lafond--CC-BY-SA.jpg)
![Lavatera trimestris](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Lavatera-trimestris-1--Biodiversity-Heritage-Library--CC-BY.jpg)
![Lavatera trimestris](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Lavatera-trimestris--Biodiversity-Heritage-Library--CC-BY.jpg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Lavatera-trimestris-_0MdvSMRJzUfu.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Lavatera-trimestris-_HD04wr4QCiEL.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Lavatera-trimestris-_KrMdmfZv1xmz.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Lavatera-trimestris-_fqaO6qYXKp4A.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Lavatera-trimestris-_7syV0Y3KgyBB.jpeg)
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Splendens
- Splendens
- Splendens
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Malva
- Species:
- trimestris
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mediterranean
- Distribution:
- Britain, Eastern Europe, New England, California, Texas, South Africa.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Description:
- Shallow funnel-shaped flowers in shades of white and pink, with maroon centers and maroon veining on the petals. Blossoms from July into September.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Orbicular
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Petiole to 3 1/2 to 5 inches. Generally deciduous. Lower blades to 5 inches long, 1 to 5 inches wide, rounded to cordate, crenate. Upper leaves generally smaller, lobes acute to obtuse.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Erect stem, covered generally with bristles.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Salt