SOWING INSTRUCTIONS
Starting Indoors:
Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Keep at 35-40°F for 1 week, then 65-70°F.
Starting Outdoors:
Direct sow at last frost date.
PLACEMENT & CULTIVATION
Lavatera makes a beautiful bedding plant, often grown as a hedge or in the mid border. Try it in a large container too. Does best where summer weather is moderate and nights cool down; in hot summer areas afternoon shade is beneficial. An excellent cut flower that lasts well in water. Deadhead for continued bloom until late fall.
Watering Details:
About 1" per week, regular, even moisture best.
Fertilizer:
Mix in a few inches of compost prior to planting. If soil is poor, supplement with an organic fertilizer.
Diseases & Pests:
Root rot can be troublesome if planted in wet areas—avoid by planting in well-drained locations. Japanese beetles should be picked off early in the morning into a bowl of soapy water.
When to Cut for Bouquets:
3/4-fully opened