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Lavatera Red Rum
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Posted by
frances_in_nj z6 NJ (
My Page) on
Fri, Jun 8, 12 at 9:35
| I have two spectacular specimens of this lavatera, which I love. However, they are getting HUGE, and I realize that after 2 years in my garden they need division. Can anybody give me some advice on how/when to safely divide them? Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Lavatera Red Rum
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| I think they are shrubs and must be pruned, not divided. |
RE: Lavatera Red Rum
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| And 'Red Rum' is generally considered a "compact" version of this plant!! Not a true shrub but considered a perennial subshrub, tree mallows benefit from a hard pruning to 8-12" each spring. While they are not the easiest plant to divide nor is it necessarily a common practice, it can be done - they are amazingly tough plants. I've just used an old prunng saw to cut the rootball in half (or possibly smaller). They also layer very easily if you wish to propagate. |
RE: Lavatera Red Rum
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| Thanks for these responses! I think I'll just leave them for now, and be sure to prune hard next spring. We had such a "non-winter" that they had no die-back; after a more normal winter they probably will not get quite so huge (or so I hope!) |
RE: Lavatera Red Rum
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- Posted by mxk3 z5b/6 MI (My Page) on
Sun, Jun 10, 12 at 10:59
| Lavatera is an annual as far as I know (Mont Blanc, Silver Cup are common cultivars) - didn't know there was a shrub referred to as lavatera - ? . |
RE: Lavatera Red Rum
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| Yes! The annual ones are beautiful, I always try to start them from seed every year. But this perennial/subshrub version is great - I really love this Red Rum that I have. There's also Barnsley, which is white with a red eye. I never had any luck with Barnsley, I'm not sure how long-lived they are as perennial/subshrubs. But I have had my red rums for two years now, and they sure are gorgeous! |
RE: Lavatera Red Rum
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| Several species of Lavatera and a couple of hybrids are referred to as "tree mallows" or shrubby perennials. Most commonly sold forms are selections of L. thuringiaca or the hybrid xclementii. In mild zones, these are very nearly evergreen and can bloom almost year round. However, unless summers are hot and long, the stems do not fully ripen and the plant is structurally weak, necessitating the annual heavy pruning. And yes, it will grow back to full size each season. |
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