Malva Assurgentiflora

Common Names: Malva Assurgentiflora

syn. Lavatera Assurgentiflora

Family: Malvaceae

Origin: California

Type: Evergreen shrub

Size: 9 ft. high, 12 ft. wide.

Flowers: Pink, purple flowers with white stripes 2-3" across. Blooms most of the year, esp. spring through fall. 

Uses: Windbreak - resists wind and salt spray; screen, background, slopes. Deer like. Fire resistive.

Wildlife: Leaves (caterpillars, etc.), seeds, nectar for birds and bees. Deer resistant. 

Soil: Well-drained; native to sandy soil on Santa Barbara and Santa Catalina Islands of California

Water: Low to Medium. 

Sun: Full sun. 

Pruning: Sheer to keep dense, or prune as small tree. With age, prunes into interesting shapes. 

Pests & Diseases: Rarely suffers from insect or disease damage. Watch for rust, leaf and stem rot, powdery mildew.

Notes: Only found in California. Comes from same family as Hibiscus. Thrives naturally in the sandy rocky soil of coastal sage scrub. Hardy to 20° F.