Dwarf Mallow

This is a hardy semi-evergreen mallow (Lavatera x clementii) called ‘Barnsley Baby’ and will produce long stems of white/pink funnel shaped flowers all summer long.

Mallows like a sunny spot either in the border or in a pot on the patio.

Mallows are quite thirsty plants and will appreciate being kept damp. Water regularly whilst in a pot or when first planted out. If you are going away for a few days, then you can stand the pot in a bowl of shallow water. To keep them happy and flowering as long as possible add a few drops of ordinary house plant feed in their water every few waterings.

The flowers only open when there is warmth and light. Each dramatic flower will last one or two days but in the right spot your plant will produce a succession of these short lived trumpets throughout the summer. When the flower head drops off, pick off the small fruits left behind to encourage the new buds. This variety is semi-evergreen but to keep your plant neat and tidy you might want to give your plant a trim back in late winter, this will also help to encourage more fresh growth and flower stems next spring.

It is unlikely that you will get any pests or diseases, but if you do just wash the leaves and buds with soapy water.