Lavatera 'Marshmallow Strawberry Cream' is a delightful addition to any garden, celebrated for its rapid growth and abundant blooms. This charming shrub or subshrub showcases large, soft pink flowers that are beautifully accented by darker rose centers, creating a striking visual appeal. Its extended flowering season, which spans from early summer to autumn, coupled with its low maintenance requirements, makes it a beloved choice for cottage gardens. This plant effortlessly infuses vibrant summer hues into mixed borders, enhancing the overall aesthetic of outdoor spaces.
The growth habit of Lavatera 'Marshmallow Strawberry Cream' is characterized by an upright, bushy form that exhibits a slight spreading tendency, allowing it to fill out garden beds gracefully. The foliage consists of soft, grey-green leaves that are lobed and possess a unique felted texture, adding an extra layer of interest to the plant. As the summer months unfold, the large, funnel-shaped blooms emerge in profusion, creating a stunning display that captures the attention of both gardeners and passersby alike. The primary impact of this plant is felt during the summer, when its bold and long-lasting flowers dominate the landscape.
Thriving in full sun, Lavatera prefers moderately fertile, well-drained soil, as it is not fond of heavy, waterlogged conditions. Once established, it demonstrates impressive drought tolerance, requiring only moderate watering. This hardy plant is well-suited to most regions of the UK, although it may need some protection in colder areas. Ideal for borders, cottage gardens, or coastal planting schemes, it also serves an ecological purpose by attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. With a mature height of approximately 150 cm (5 ft) and a spread of around 120 cm (4 ft), Lavatera 'Marshmallow Strawberry Cream' is a low-maintenance gem that can be rejuvenated by cutting back hard in early spring, ensuring fresh growth and a compact form for the season ahead.
Grow lavatera plants in borders and containers outdoors in moist, well drained soil in full sun. When growing lavatera in containers use a soil based compost such as John Innes No. 3.
