Lavatera ‘barnsley baby’ tips

Blenkiron

Evening all, two days ago I moved my lavatera Barnsley baby to the back of my bedding, I made sure to take as many roots as I could, plenty of good thick strong ones, it wilted abit but seems to be on the mend now, it hasn’t got any buds on yet... anyone know if I’ve ruined my chances of budding this year?
also I’ve only just discovered it’s a short lived plant, 3-5 years I think, could be wrong... Is there anything similar that is long life, flowering evergreen that can hold its own at the back of a border?
Thanks 

hogweed

Lavatera isn't evergreen with me. However, an escallonia would fit the bill - pink flowers and evergreen and a real toughie. 

hogweed

Lavatera isn't evergreen with me. However, an escallonia would fit the bill - pink flowers and evergreen and a real toughie. I used to prune mine back down in the spring. 

Blenkiron

hogweed said:

Lavatera isn't evergreen with me. However, an escallonia would fit the bill - pink flowers and evergreen and a real toughie. I used to prune mine back down in the spring. 

Just had a look at escallonia and I think you’ve sold a winner.
looking at the ‘pink elle’ one, grows to the right size I’ll need to fill and even good for pollinators, are they fast growers? 

Nanny Beach

I have got the same one here, it grows huge, I really cut it back hard, its always kept its leaves, deffot the correct time to move stuff, make sure you keep it watered.  Have had them in other gardens they havent just lasted 2 or 3 years.

Papi Jo

I didn't know they had produced a "baby" version of Lavatera x clementii ‘Barnsley’. There have been quite a few posts about Lavatera 'Barnsley' on this forum:

Try this search:

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/search?adv=&search=lavatera+Barnsley

I don't have the "baby", but the "normal" version. All I can say is I seriously doubt you can transplant a fully-grown specimen, since its roots spread a lot.

It's fairly easy to take cuttings, and is indeed needed since they are short-lived plants (max. 5 years, sometimes only 2-3 years). Stunning flowers.

See my specimen at http://www.rezeau.org/wp-garden/en/lavatera-x-clementii-barnsley-2/

@hogweed suggested escallonia, which is a totally different plant from lavatera, but it might fit the bill for you

Blenkiron

Papi Jo said:

I didn't know they had produced a "baby" version of Lavatera x clementii ‘Barnsley’. There have been quite a few posts about Lavatera 'Barnsley' on this forum:

Try this search:

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/search?adv=&search=lavatera+Barnsley

I don't have the "baby", but the "normal" version. All I can say is I seriously doubt you can transplant a fully-grown specimen, since its roots spread a lot.

It's fairly easy to take cuttings, and is indeed needed since they are short-lived plants (max. 5 years, sometimes only 2-3 years). Stunning flowers.

See my specimen at http://www.rezeau.org/wp-garden/en/lavatera-x-clementii-barnsley-2/

@hogweed suggested escallonia, which is a totally different plant from lavatera, but it might fit the bill for you

Thanks for the reply, it wasn’t fully grown, one about a year or so, it’s doing better each day so hopefully it’s good
ive attached the link for the Thompson Morgan page for it where I got it 
https://www.thompson-morgan.com/p/lavatera-x-clementii-barnsley-baby/p8030TM

Gartener

I have a Lavatera Bredon Springs, which is similiar. In last (mild) winter it retained its leaves, so its kind of evergreen (if the winter isnt too harsh and its not in an exposed windy location).

I severely pruned (infact chopped) my Lavatera in March and was afraid that it probably wont come back but its now sprouting again. So happy days...

btw: not sure if escallonia will be a close replacement because: 
- Lavatera grows much faster than escallonia.
- Its taller and more bushy (hence better for screening).
- Has bigger and more showy flowers + is more floriferous.

May be Camellia can be another option but it flowers in winter and is a slow grower.

Papi Jo

@Umairahmed3

I agree with the severe pruning. Too many gardeners hesitate... I don't. I always chop my lavatera down to between 30 to 50 cm, and it never fails to sprout back again.

See the new vegetation on this specimen, pruned harsh back in mid-february, photos taken a week ago!

On this photo you can see the home-made iron plant supports which have remained from last year, ready to support the exuberant vegetation of the lavatera later on.