Lavatera Clementii are woody perennials, also known as the Mallow Tree, popular for their large conspicuous decorative flowers. Barnsley is a compact ornamental shrub that produces masses of pink flowers, contrasting vividly against the green foliage. The flowers are bright and showy, attractive to both butterflies and garden visitors. This upright plant forms a large bush growing vigorously suitable for containers and borders. Barnsley blooms in its first year itself, bearing saucer-shaped pink-white flowers with a very striking red centre. The flowers grow in clusters and look very stunning against the lobed, heart-shaped grey-green leaves of Tree Mallow. This flowering shrub holds great flowering power in its compact small size. Tree Mallow is highly tolerant of a wide range of soils but will thrive longer and flower more abundantly, when planted in a fertile well-drained soil. It prefers full sun or partial shade and needs protection in winter from the frost. If you are planting it in a pot, use a decent quality potting compost and water well in dry seasons. Once established, Barnsley will demand minimal maintenance and will be able to tolerate short droughts. Apply a layer of mulch annually and cut back hard in late spring to encourage new growth. Deadheading the flowers will help in increasing the flowering period. Lavatera Barnsley is ideal for garden containers as its compact shape suits pots well. It provides stunning cut flowers. Plant it in a mixed planting or use it to decorate your patio as a single standalone plant.
