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Lavatera assurgentiflora –Malvaceae - ‘Malva Rosa,' ‘Channel Islands Tree-Mallow' – This is the only North American native species of the genus Lavatera. The other species are the 'Bush Mallows' or 'Tree Mallows' of Europe, of which many fine species have made their way into horticulture. Rare in the wild, Malva Rosa is native to a small area in California's Channel Islands. This is another example of a rare endemic finding new security for survival thanks to horticulture.

In the garden this is an adaptable beauty for many climates, thriving with any sort of care regime, from irrigated and fertilized to dry and unfertilized, also accepting salt winds with grace. On the immediate coast, this is a plant for sunny exposure and well-drained soil, while in hot summer regions, more shade is preferred. An erect shrub or small tree that can grow to 8' in a single year, with maple-like leaves and striped pink 2”-3” wide flowers. This plant's blooming season can be all year, save in the rainiest months of winter. These flowers are eagerly visited by hummingbirds!

Malva Rosa will endure lows to 25º and below with little damage. It will survive with no summer water, but summer water will improve its appearance and lengthen the flowering season as well.