Tree Mallow Bush

Lavatera bicolor, also known as Malva subovata subsp. bicolor, is an excellent background shrub for dry perennial beds, mixed shrub borders, or on banks or slopes. The pale lilac-colored, hibiscus-like flowers with violet centers bloom profusely spring through summer. The maple-shaped, gray-green leaves complement the colorful blooms. Tree Mallow, as it is commonly called, is a large Mediterranean shrub with a rangy and irregular form, but can be regularly pruned or sheared for a more formal or dense shape.