Lavatera come in both dwarf and tall varieties, both with a nice bushy habit and the dark green leaves contrast wonderfully with the glistening flowers which come in so many shades.

Lavatera flowers in the first year from an early sowing, attracting bees and butterflies as well as being a stunning cut flower. Sow seeds from in Spring and Autumn in individual pots or module trays of moist seed compost and cover seeds with a very fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place container in a propagator or warm place, and keep at a temperature of between 20-25C. After sowing, do not exclude light as this helps germination. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged.

When well grown, gradually acclimatise young plants to outdoor conditions for a few weeks before planting out after all risk of frost, 20-30cm apart, taking care not to damage the root system.

Plant out Autumn sowings in March time, they will be well developed to handle any further light frosts.

Lavatera can also be sown outside in April and May once the soil has warmed, 3mm deep in drills 30cm apart in well-cultivated soil which has been raked to a fine tilth.