Annual mallow, often sold as Lavatera trimestris or under the newer name Malva trimestris, carries silky, hollyhock-like flowers on upright stems.
- Choose full sun and well-drained soil. Avoid a waterlogged site.
- Direct-sow in spring according to the packet, or start indoors about ten or eleven weeks before the usual final frost in a pot that reduces root disturbance.
- Thin or transplant to the spacing on the cultivar's label. Annual mallow is commonly much taller than the old page's 4-inch claim; many cultivars reach around 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm).
- Water while establishing and during long dry spells. A sheltered site helps protect tall stems from wind.
- Pick flowers for a vase, remove faded heads for longer bloom, or leave selected pods to mature for seed saving.
Lavatera has a history in herbal traditions, but this page makes no medical recommendation. Do not eat or apply an ornamental garden plant as a remedy.