Wild lavatera. Lavatera: types, care and cultivation from seeds. Lavatera New World

Lavatera is a beautifully flowering annual or perennial plant from the Malvaceae family. In the wild, it can be found in Southern Europe or North Africa. In addition to the main types, there are many more interesting varieties with a wide variety of petal colors. Easy to care for, the unpretentious plant forms dense thickets, abundantly covered with large, gramophone-like flowers. Among the people, lavatera can be found under the names “khatma” or “wild rose”. The bushes always have a well-groomed decorative appearance and are suitable for a natural style garden and for pot growing.

Description of the plant

Lavatera has a strong branched rhizome. Upright branched shoots, covered with rough dark green bark, rise above the ground. Their height is 30-150 cm. Powerful branches are covered with petiolate lobed leaves, divided into 3-5 lobes. Between the veins, the leaf blade is quite soft, rough or pubescent. It is painted dark green. The leaf is 15-35 cm in diameter. The leaves grow oppositely along the entire length of the stem. The upper specimens are much smaller than the basal ones.

Lavatera is valued for its long and abundant flowering. It begins in June and lasts until the autumn cold. The funnel-shaped corolla, 5-10 cm long, consists of five wide petals. They can be painted in one color or have a gradient color. The petal tapers towards the center and has a corrugated surface. Bisexual flowers are collected in loose racemes in the axils of the leaves and at the top of the stem. They bloom in several pieces and gradually replace each other. In the center of the flower there is a short and fairly thick style, covered with long thread-like stamens and an ovary.
















Flowering is accompanied by a pleasant tart aroma that attracts insects. Lavatera is a good honey plant. After pollination, flattened, drum-like seed pods ripen. Inside are oblong gray-black seeds, which, when shaken, hit the walls of the box.

Types and decorative varieties

The genus Lavatera consists of 25 species. They can be roughly divided into annual and perennial plants. More often, gardeners give preference to decorative varieties, so in fact only two varieties are popular in cultivation.

The plant forms lush bushes 50-120 cm high. Lobed light green leaves are located along the entire length of the shoots and become smaller towards the top. In July, single funnel-shaped flowers bloom in the axils of the leaves. Their diameter reaches 10 cm. Flowering is very long and abundant. Varieties:

  • Beauty is a tall, spreading bush with large white, pink or carmine flowers;
  • White Sherub is a dwarf (up to 35 cm) variety with large snow-white inflorescences;
  • Silver bowl - a bush up to 70 cm high is covered with silver-pink flowers with burgundy stripes;
  • Tweens Hot Pink – bright pink flowers bloom on a bush up to 40 cm high;
  • Tanager - scarlet flowers decorate a spreading bush up to 50 cm high.

The shrub up to 2 m high grows erect, branched shoots covered with heart-shaped or rounded foliage. There is hard grayish hair on the leaves and stems. Loose racemose inflorescences bloom from the leaf axils in mid-June. The diameter of the tubular corolla is 1.5-7 cm. The leaves of this species have medicinal properties. Varieties:

  • Mystic Marilyn - a bush up to 180 cm high covered with purple or violet flowers;
  • Brehon Springs – pink flowers with crimson stripes bloom on powerful shoots 1.3 m high;
  • Barnsley Baby - a medium-height bush covered with white and pink buds.

Growing lavatera from seeds

All types of lavatera are very easily propagated by seeds. Moreover, the plant self-sows widely. Therefore, it is enough to plant it once and you won’t have to worry about planting anymore. In temperate climates, lavatera is planted directly in open ground. Lavatera is sown at the end of April. First, the site is dug up along with compost and nitrophoska. Dry seeds without pre-treatment are distributed in furrows to a depth of 1 cm. The crops are sprinkled with soil and covered. It is useful to cover them with film.

By the end of the first week, lavatera shoots appear, after which the shelter is removed. When the seedlings grow to 5 cm in height, they are thinned out. It is necessary to maintain a distance of 20-25 cm between adult plants. Seedlings of annuals bloom first. After 2.5-3 months, the first buds appear on them. In order for flowering to begin at the end of May, seedlings are first grown.

Lavatera seedlings need to be sown in early March, then by May large plants will be ready to decorate the flower garden. For planting, prepare boxes with light, fertile soil. The seeds are distributed at a depth of 1 cm. The surface of the earth is sprayed with water and covered with glass. The greenhouse is placed in a bright, warm place. After 10-15 days, shoots appear. After this, remove the lid and regularly moisten the soil. Lavatera is very sensitive to negative temperatures, so there is no rush to plant it in open ground. Directly from the box at the end of May, the seedlings are planted in a permanent place.

Planting and care

In open ground, Lavatera prefers loose, fertile soils and open sunny areas. On damp clay soil, khatma grows worse than on black soil or sandy loam. Also, the heat-loving plant reacts poorly to gusts of cold wind.

Immediately after planting the seedlings, the soil is watered, and a week later the first fertilizing is carried out with a potassium-phosphorus complex. Young plants need more careful care. They need regular weeding and weed removal. For tall varieties, they immediately think about support, since the stem can break due to wind and heavy rain.

Lavatera needs to be watered regularly. Large leaves evaporate a lot of moisture and wither without sufficient watering. Lack of water also reduces the number of flowers. In this case, all the liquid should go deep into the soil and not stagnate at the roots. On hot days, watering and sprinkling are carried out in the evening to prevent burns on the foliage.

From the moment of planting until the end of summer, the lavatera is fed twice a month. While the plant is growing green mass, nitrogen and potassium should predominate in the mineral complexes. In early June, their level is reduced, but the phosphorus component increases.

In the fall, all annual growth is cut off and the area is dug up. They try to bend the perennial hut to the ground and cover it with leaves or spruce branches. In spring, the shelter is removed and some of the shoots are cut off.

Plant in landscape design

Lavatera is very decorative, so it is often planted independently. Tall varieties are good individually; they can hide ugly buildings or other unattractive objects. Low-growing varieties are used to frame paths or zone areas. By planting a mix of lavatera varieties, you can create a multi-colored ornament on the ground.

When combining lavatera in a flower garden with other plants, you need to focus on the color of the flowers. White lavatera goes well with purple petunia and ageratum. Pink – with verbena, sage, iris and delphinium.

Medicinal properties

The leaves and roots of perennial lavatera have medicinal properties. The leaves are collected during the flowering period, and the roots - after its completion. The collected raw materials are dried in a cool, shaded place and stored for a year in paper or fabric bags.

A decoction of the roots strengthens the immune system, helps fight colds, thins mucus and has an expectorant effect. Ointment and lotions from the leaves are used to treat lichen, as well as to relieve symptoms of neuralgia and rheumatism.

The name Lavatera appeared thanks to two brothers - doctors from Lavatera, who discovered the existence of the flower. The location of the flower is most often in countries with mild climates: North America, Australia.

Plants are unpretentious in their environment if they are properly cared for (no matter what, they are not afraid of cold, heat or dampness, and are perennial)

Lavatera - perennial plant that loves light most of all. Flowers can reach a different palette: lilac, soft pink, red, etc.

A lot depends on the Lavatera variety; for example, its growth can be less than half a meter or, on the contrary, reach almost two meters, growing along with it large stems and spreading leaves.

Popular varieties

  1. - a flower with gorgeous iridescent lilac petals. Does not require careful care. Perennial;
  2. – has a pink inflorescence, reaches a height of 130 cm, curls strongly and its varietal feature is a leaf with a gray-green tint. It blooms for a long time, delighting with purple inflorescences with crimson veins. Winters well under light cover. The sympathy of gardeners is often on the side of “Springs”;
  3. — Flowering: from July to August, pleases with white and pale pink buds. Height: 120 cm.
  4. - medium height, well accepted on loose surfaces, beautiful pink tones of the inflorescence;
  5. - “dwarf” variety, 40 cm, this variety is distinguished by its huge inflorescence buds, which have white tones. The variety is also well suited for growing on a windowsill or in a pot.

Instructions for landing

  1. Any variety of lavatera loves the sun;
  2. Loose soil is what the dog rose needs;
  3. From the fertilized soil, the lavatera will begin to develop leaf mass, but there will be no flowers(see below about feeding);
  4. The roots will begin to rot from too much water;
  5. Before planting, the bud must be compacted to avoid air around the seeds;
  6. Lavatera cannot live without feeding.

There are some tips that will significantly reduce your concerns:

  1. Sprouts should not be yellow, lethargic or spotted
  2. Lavatera roots should exceed 3-5 cm in length

Also, there is a special soil preparation algorithm:

  1. Dig up the selected sunny area;
  2. The area is pre-watered, it can be fertilized, but this is already a guarantee of poor inflorescence
  3. Feeding before planting. As written above: 1 tsp. superphosphate, urea, potassium sulfate.
  4. Level the soil with a rake and make oblong grooves.

You can even say that the algorithm for planting flowers is standard and there is nothing new in it.


The plant is suitable for open ground in April/May!

How to plant in open ground?

  1. Place the plant in the groove 1 cm;
  2. Spill generously;
  3. Upon reaching 5 cm, you can remove the material from the surface of the hole and introduce fertilizing;
  4. Feed after cleaning the covering, shed generously

After 30 days, the flower will “come to its senses” and begin to bloom.

It is important to take proper care. For the plant and its growth, several factors are needed: sun, watering (once every 7 days at normal humidity. If severe aridity - no more than 3 times a week), fertilizing and timely removal of weeds.

About feeding:

Some gardeners fertilize using nitrogen during growth (this affects a strong stem and hardy root). After the flower reaches the desired height, you need to add a solution of magnesium, potassium and phosphorus to the fertilizing.


Lavatera flowering

Nuances when watering

  • Make sure that when watering the roots are not washed away with water, otherwise the plant will disappear;
  • Lavatera should be watered only with a nozzle, and only at the root;
  • In preparation for the winter period, watering and fertilizing are reduced to a minimum.
  • In hot weather, watering once or twice a week is sufficient.

Fertilizer – important or not?

Fertilizers – more suitable for depleted soils. The plant will have enough fertilizer and nutrients to feed it.

Reproduction

The plant will develop if the seeds are collected in the autumn (September or early October). How to determine the readiness of the seeds? The box should dry out and the seeds should “rustle” when tapped. During the winter, the boxes are stored in dark and DRY places. Already in the spring, the seeds “reach” and are ready for planting.


Seeds are planted in two ways: directly into the soil (for warm regions) or by growing seedlings in a greenhouse.

Diseases and prevention

The only disease she is afraid of is rust. Rust occurs in humid weather and is caused by a fungus. The disease is easy to recognize: there will be a brownish “bump” (pustules) on the back of the leaf. The treatment is also simple: at the first stage, the leaves are cut and burned, and the plants themselves are irrigated with “fungicides” containing copper (“Topaz”, copper sulfate, etc.) If all else fails, then the plant is excluded from the garden and burned..

On the part of insects, lavateta does not tolerate aphids, which there are also ways to combat: treating the plant with wormwood, hot pepper, onion or cinnamon. There are also special recipes:

Recipe 1

Leave 300-400 g of fresh celandine herb collected during flowering (or 100 g of dry) in one liter of water for 24 hours, then boil for 30 minutes. Over low heat. Spray when cool.

Recipe 2

40 g of dry tobacco leaves pour into 1 liter. water and leave to steep for 48 hours. Strain and add water to 2 liters.

What can you do with the “garden beauty” when she has grown up?

Tall varieties are used to make hedges, flower figures, and flower arches.

Plantings of flowers of several colors look fascinating, and you can also add a climbing plant to the lavater, which will envelop the “neighbor” and you will get a living carpet.

To summarize, lavatera has many healing properties: preparations containing dog rose are used in the treatment of:

  • cough
  • colds
  • migraine
  • Gastrointestinal tract, etc.

Freshly cut lavatera leaves help with purulent diseases.

So, Lavatera is easy to plant and care for, the main thing is to follow the watering regime, then the plant will delight you with flowering even in cloudy weather. It is necessary to feed, treat, and eliminate weeds in time to avoid consequences and not spoil the plant.

Lavatera flowers are also found under other popular names, such as wild rose or Khatma. This is an elegant plant that does not require particularly careful care, but is a decoration for any flower garden. Today, thanks to selection, you can find a fairly large selection of varieties of perennial and annual lavatera, so every gardener will be able to choose a suitable plant for growing.

The best varieties and types

Lavaters are annual and perennial; the height of the bushes, depending on the variety, can vary from 50 to 200 cm, the branches of the plant are strong, and the crown is powerful. The main part of the varieties has lobed leaf blades that are covered with small hairs; they are located alternately on the stems. The flowers are large in size, usually their diameter reaches 9-11 cm, the color is yellow, crimson, white, purple and pink, they can grow alone or in 3-4 pieces. Flowering lasts from June to October.

Annetta

An annual flower, it is a member of the mallow family. The height of the erect stem usually does not exceed 65 cm, and there are many branches on it. The bush is completely covered with short and stiff hairs, the shape of the flowers is funnel-shaped, their shade is light pink. The bush is almost completely covered with flowers. The plant is not demanding in terms of care and can grow in partial shade or light.

Barnsley

This variety is a hybrid, the plant is perennial and looks quite powerful, its height can reach two meters in height. The leaf blades are gray-green in color, often round in shape, but can also be heart-shaped with fluff. The flowers are quite large (8-9 cm in diameter), grow singly, their color is pinkish-white, and the pedicels are long. Flowering can be observed from July to the beginning of autumn.

Sun Goddess

The plant is an annual plant, the stem height is about 115 cm, the leaf blades are dark green, large in size, the stem is highly branched. The flowers are funnel-shaped, they are located in the axils of the foliage, the diameter does not exceed 6-7 cm. The plant loves sunlight and is resistant to cold weather and dry weather. This variety is often used in group plantings.

Moonlight

Belongs to the group of annual lavatera, the flower is very branched and powerful, the stem grows in height up to 125 cm. The flowers are large in size, their shape is funnel-shaped, about 10 cm in diameter, the color of the petals is soft pink, there is a silver tint. The flowering period lasts from the beginning of July until the onset of persistent cold weather. The flower tolerates cold and drought painlessly and grows well in a lighted area.

Melange

The plant is strong, highly branched, grows up to 90 cm in height. The diameter of the flowers varies from 6 to 9 cm, their shape is funnel-shaped, the color is white, pink and red. It begins to bloom in mid-summer and ends with the onset of cold weather. The variety is cold-resistant, tolerates heat well, and grows on almost any type of soil.

Parade

The height of the stems of this variety usually does not exceed 80 cm, the bushes are medium-branched, quite compact, strewn with medium-sized flowers (5-7 cm in diameter), the color of the inflorescences is white, dark pink and red-pink. The stems are covered with short hairs. The plant can grow in a partially shaded area without compromising flowering.

Ruby

An annual flower, the stem height can reach 1 meter in height, the bush looks powerful, all strewn with beautiful inflorescences. Large (diameter 8-10 cm), funnel-shaped flowers have a rich ruby ​​hue. The leaf blades are jagged, angular-heart-shaped. The plant grows well in lighted areas and blooms throughout the summer.

Silver bowl

The plant is medium-sized, the height of the branching stem does not exceed 65 cm. The flowers are large, funnel-shaped, open, their diameter is about 9-10 cm, they have a delicate salmon-pink color with dark veins, the flowers are located in the axils of the leaves. Like most varieties, this variety is cold-resistant and drought-resistant.

tanager

An annual plant, the height of a powerful branched bush is about 100 cm. It is completely covered with large (7-10 cm in diameter), located singly, funnel-shaped flowers of a rich purple-pink hue with noticeable veins on the petals. You can admire the flowering from the second ten days of July until the middle of autumn.

Thuringian

Representative of the group of perennials. The stem of the bush is erect, its height is about two meters, the leaf plates are gray-green, formed in the shape of a heart. The flowers are medium in size (diameter 5-6 cm), have a pale purple hue, long stalks, and grow singly. You can observe flowering already in mid-summer, it lasts until autumn.

Enchantress

The plant is bushy, its height is less than a meter, the leaves are lobed. The flowers are medium in size, as their diameter is 4-6 cm, the color can be pink, white and crimson. The top of the bush is more dense with flowers than the lower part. The plant is unpretentious to the composition of the soil on which it grows and tolerates cold and drought.

Tree-like

A biennial plant with an erect stem on which velvety oval leaf plates are located, their length is 15-18 cm, and the height of the bush is about two meters. The flowers are hibiscus-shaped, up to 5 cm in diameter, reddish-purple in color with purple veins, arranged in inflorescences of several pieces. Unfortunately, flowering is quite short-lived: it begins in July and ends in August.

Growing seedlings

Lavatera is grown in seedlings to achieve earlier flowering. Seeds should be planted in the spring in the first ten days of March in order to plant seedlings in the flower garden in May. It is better to grow plants in purchased special soil; there must be drainage at the bottom of the container. Before sowing, the soil is watered, and the seeds need to be deepened no more than 1 cm. In order for seedlings to appear faster, you need to create greenhouse conditions; for this, the container is covered with a transparent film or glass, and it is better to store the container in a place that is well lit. Condensation that forms on the glass must be removed and the soil must be moderately moistened. After 14 days, the first shoots should appear, which may require additional lighting for normal development. After germination of the seeds, the glass can be removed.

Scheme of transfer to the ground

Lavatera seedlings can be planted in a flower bed when there is no threat of frost returning. Planting dates depend on the region, where the climate is milder it is the end of April, and in more severe conditions the end of May. It is better to have a sunny area for flowers; they will grow well in loose, light and well-drained soil. There are tall varieties of lavatera, so to grow them you will need to install supports. In order for the bushes to grow and develop normally, it is recommended to plant seedlings according to the 20×25 pattern.

Seedless method

Lavatera seeds are sown in the ground at the end of April or at the beginning of May. The soil needs to be prepared in advance; for this, the area is dug up, adding a bucket of humus or compost plus 2 teaspoons of nitrophoska per 1 m². After this, the soil must be leveled and furrows made on it, the depth of which is no more than 1 cm.

Before sowing the seeds, the beds are watered with settled water, and after it they are covered with a mixture of humus and garden soil in equal parts, sealed and covered with film. In such conditions, seedlings will appear after 7 days, when they reach a height of 5 cm, the film is removed, and the seedlings must be thinned out, after which the soil is loosened and the beds are lightly hilled. If no fertilizers were applied during planting, then feed the plants after removing the films, using mineral fertilizers.

Further care

When caring for lavatera, whether annual or perennial varieties, there is not much difference, but there are nuances that should be taken into account.

For annual flowers

Flowers tolerate drought well, but still need watering, although not as regularly as some crops. In hot summers, it is worth watering the plantings once every seven days, spending two buckets of water on a powerful bush. If there is no excessive drought, you can moisten the soil as needed.

Loosening the soil is carried out only when the bush has not yet grown to a height of 100 cm, so as not to harm the root system, which is located superficially.

To stimulate the formation of new buds, you need to cut off those that have already bloomed.

If no fertilizers were applied during planting, then the first fertilizing is done using Nitrophoska and Urea (a tablespoon each), which are diluted in a ten-liter bucket of water. The second feeding is carried out before the formation of buds with sodium and potassium sulfate (a tablespoon each), diluted in 10 liters of liquid.

After flowering has finished, the top part of the plant can be cut off.

For perennial flowers

Loosening, watering and feeding perennial lavatera is carried out similarly to annual flowers.

Sometimes mature bushes may need to be supported, this usually happens when the plant grows about 1.5 meters in height.

There is no need to trim perennial lavatera bushes, but it is practiced to remove dry or damaged branches in order to prevent diseases, which, by the way, rarely affect the plant. But still, if the bushes are attacked by aphids, they should be treated with drugs such as Aktara, Actellik, Akarin or Biotlin according to the instructions.

You need to collect lavatera seeds after the flowers fall, in the place of which there are boxes that ripen for some time until they become dry and acquire a brown tint. When opening one, pay attention to the color of the seeds; if they are gray-brown, then collection can continue. After completing the procedure, I usually dry the seeds and store them in a linen bag or paper.

If you are wondering what flowers to plant on your property to make it both beautiful and easy to care for, then you won’t find a better place for lavatera. The plant blooms from June until frost. It is extraordinarily beautiful, easy to care for, requires minimal labor, and is drought-resistant: in a word, a godsend for very busy gardeners. This article will tell you how to grow lavatera in open ground without any hassle.

Varieties and varieties

Lavatera got its name from the word of Latin origin “lavatum” - to wash, since the color of the flowers is very pure. Lavatera is popularly called khatma or dog rose.

Three types of lavatera are used in gardening:

Lavatera annual or in another way it is called Lavatera three months. It grows up to 120 cm in height and the entire bush is abundantly covered with flowers, which makes it especially decorative. Blooms from July until frost.

Lavatera annual

The most popular varieties in our latitudes:

  • Silver Cap with salmon-colored flowers;
  • Mont Blanc is a white flowered variety;
  • Lovelines blooms with pink flowers;
  • Pink Beauty has bright pink buds;
  • The Ruby Queen features carmine-colored flowers;
  • Sun Goddess is a mixture of lavatera seeds with a wide range of flower colors.

Lavatera perennial

Lavatera perennial or Thuringian. The most popular varieties:

  • Lilac Lady - has lilac flowers;
  • Bregon Springs – with pink buds;
  • Burgundy Vine - blooms with pink flowers;
  • IKatcher is a variety with beautiful pink flowers.

Two year old lavatera

Two year old lavatera or tree lavatera. It grows up to two meters in height and has a slender stem with reddish-purple flowers similar to hibiscus inflorescences. Varieties:

  • Candy Floss - has light pink flowers;
  • Rosea - with beautiful salmon-colored flowers.

There are three more types of lavatera, which are intended for warm latitudes, but can also be grown here:

  • Lavatera seaside, which has lilac flowers in two shades;

Lavatera maritima

  • Cretan lavatera has pubescent tomentose stems and purple or lilac flowers;

Cretan Lavatera

  • Moorish lavatera is the most heat-loving with pubescent stems and purple flowers.

Moorish Lavatera

Attention! Lavatera is not only an ornamental plant. The perennial Thuringian lavatera is a medicinal crop.

Reproduction and planting of lavatera

Lavatera is propagated by seeds. The seeds are collected in early autumn, by which time the plant's inflorescences have turned into brown boxes. If you shake the box, the contents will rustle, which means the seeds are ripe and ready for harvesting.

Lavatera seeds

The plant is grown in two ways:

  1. Seeds are sown immediately in open ground in May. Before planting, dig up the soil, adding a bucket of humus and a spoonful of nitroammophoska per square meter. Then the seeds are sown to a depth of 1 cm. After a couple of weeks, seedlings appear.
  2. Seedlings. First you need to decide on the timing of planting seeds for seedlings. If the flower garden is to be decorated in May, then the seeds should be sown in early March. Earlier sowing will produce larger plants. Before sowing lavatera seeds, drainage must be poured onto the bottom of the boxes and soil on top. The seeds must be buried 1 cm in moist soil, then covered with glass. When the seeds germinate, the glass should be removed. Further care of the seedlings consists of moistening the soil. Grown plants are planted in the ground in rows with a distance of 20 x 25 cm and watered regularly.

Lavatera seedlings

Lavatera reproduces excellently by self-sowing, which greatly simplifies the gardener’s task.

Advice. To get one large bush of lavatera, seedlings or seeds need to be planted in a circle at a distance of 20 - 25 cm between holes, placing five seedlings in each hole.

Plant care, fertilizers and feeding

Lavatera prefers to grow in sunny areas, but also develops well in partial shade. It can grow in any soil, but develops better in soils rich in organic matter. Drought-resistant, watering is necessary as the soil dries out once a week in extreme heat. Frost-resistant, tolerates temperatures down to -3 degrees. Tall varieties require additional support and garter of stems.

Do not water Lavatera too often. Once a week will be enough

At the beginning of growth, it is necessary to remove weeds and loosen the soil; when the lavatera reaches vegetative maturity, it will cope with the weeds itself, taking its place in the sun. By promptly removing faded inflorescences and seed pods, you will simultaneously stimulate the plant to continue flowering for a long time, and also replenish your seed fund for future years, since the seeds do not lose their viability for up to five years.

Nutrient feeding of lavatera is necessary only if the crop grows on very nutrient-poor soil. Feed the plant no more than once a month. The first feeding is done at the beginning of the growing season with a solution of urea and nitroammophoska: a tablespoon per 10 liters of water. The second time the lavatera is fertilized when flower buds appear with potassium and phosphorus fertilizers.

Attention. The older the plant, the darker its foliage becomes. Pale green leaves indicate a lack of nitrogen and phosphorus.

Diseases and pests

Fortunately, lavatera is one of those plants that practically does not get sick and is not damaged by pests. Sometimes the plant may be favored by aphids. It is enough to wash it off with water with the addition of laundry soap, or spray it with a systemic preparation.

Rust on lavatera leaves

Can be affected by a fungal disease - rust. Yellow or orange swellings (pustules) appear on the leaves on the underside, which darken when ripe, crack, and spores spill out of them, which infect healthy plants. The fungus feeds on living tissues and leads to the death of the plant. If you find a diseased plant, remove the infected parts, and the remaining parts should be sprayed with fungicides, such as Topaz or Hom. If the damage is significant, then it is better to get rid of such plants completely.

Advice. Maintain crop rotation to prevent diseases. Do not plant lavatera in its original place for 4 years.

Combination with other plants

Lavatera can be combined with a huge number of other plants that grow in traditional flower beds. Lavatera with pink flowers looks good in combination with crops that bloom with blue and purple flowers:

  • verbena;

Lavatera on a personal plot

  • brachycoma;
  • delphinium.

White varieties of lavater are universal and go with almost any color, but look especially good with lilac petunia and blue ageratum. But the Lavatera variety “Ruby Carpet” looks great with Lanstera

In landscape design

Lavatera is often used in landscape design in single or group plantings; it looks good as a bright spot on a grassy lawn, at the foot of large trees and shrubs. Tall varieties of perennial lavatera can be used as a screen for decorating a fence or outbuildings on the site.

Lavatera looks great in mono plantings

In group compositions it is incredibly beautiful if you plant plants according to a certain color palette. For example, first plant a group of lavatera with white flowers, then a group with pink ones, and the next group with a mix of pink and white flowers. It is also good to combine plants in height, using different varieties. Perfect for cutting into bouquets. Lavatera is capable of transforming the most dull landscape with its lush flowering until frost.

Other uses of lavatera

The perennial Thuringian Lavatera is used as a medicinal plant in folk medicine. The roots of the plant contain a lot of mucus and vitamin C, so in terms of its pharmacological properties, Lavatera is close to marshmallow.

Lavatera is also grown for use in folk medicine

A decoction of the roots is used for colds, coughs, hoarseness, various gastrointestinal ailments and women's diseases. An infusion of the root is used as an anti-inflammatory agent for dermatitis. For rheumatic and neuralgic pain, the leaves of the plant are used. Poultices from the leaves are used for purulent skin lesions, boils, and lichen.

Caring for lavatera in the garden: video

Varieties and types of lavatera: photos