Hello All!!!


I was wondering if anyone out there could tell me when , and how severely to prune a cottage mallow (lavatera) bush? It is a beautiful little bush with pink flowers in the hollyhock family. It is getting "leggy" and I would like it to be fuller and healthier, as the weight of the branches is weighing heavily on it and it is starting to droop! Any help would be fantastic!

Thanks in Advance!
HOLLYHOCKGIRL

From the Monrovia website re: BUSH MALLOW, Lavatera maritima:

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a formal appearance, shear annually after flowering.

Hello Tulsa Rose,

Thank you for the information! I was wondering...this is the first year I have had to prune...I have a container garden...was wondering...are there any rules as to how much you cut off of a plant or bush annually? I am sure it will recover either way...but since plants are so sensetive, I don't want to cause undue stress before winter and we have very wet winters here in zone 8.

Thanks Again...I will add that website to my favs.!!!

CHEERS!!!
HOLLYHOCKGIRL

I wouldn't prune it more than a third of its growth at this point. They are in the same family as Rose of Sharon and I only prune my young ROS for shape the first couple of years. After that, I hard-prune in early spring and the result is a much more compact shrub and tons of blooms.

Do you plan to keep it in a container outside over winter? I've been able to successfully overwinter cuttings in large containers in a protected, sunny bed and then plant them out the following spring.

Thanks Tulsa Rose!!!

Thanks so much for telling me about your pruning style and schedule...this is the first time I have had to do this to my "garden babies" and it makes me nervous!!!
Cheers!
HOLLYHOCKGIRL

What is your gardening zone? It would help to have that info in your signature.

Hello Tulsa Rose,

I am in Zone 7-8...we have a micro-climate here...so it varies.

Thanks Again!!!
HOLLYHOCKGIRL