Soil
Well-drained soil of average fertility.
Position
Full sun.
Frost tolerant
There are perennial lavateras that survive winter, but the annual form is killed by hard freezes.
Feeding
Mix a light application of a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil prior to planting. In midsummer, drench plants with a liquid fertilizer to prolong bloom time.
Companions
Rose, Catnip and Salvia. Locate lavatera near the edges of beds to make it easy to gather stems for indoor arrangements.
Spacing
Single Plants: 11″ (30cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 11″ (30cm) with 11″ (30cm) row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
Sow large lavatera seeds where you want them to grow at about the time of your last spring frost. Or, start seeds indoors to get a head start on the season, and set them out after the last spring frost has passed.
Notes
Lavatera is an annual hibiscus that attracts hummingbirds, and the newly opened blossoms make good cut flowers. Colors include soft pink and white.
Harvesting
Gather blossoms to use as cut flowers just as they open. Snip off old flowers once a week to promote blooming time. If you allow some seedpods to ripen until they shatter, lavatera will reseed in hospitable spots.
Troubleshooting
Expect some cosmetic damage from leaf-eating beetles. Where Japanese beetles are a common pest, cover plants with row cover until they come into bloom.