What is the flower in GC's logo at the top of the page?

I think I may have been weeding one out for the past couple of years. I left the plant alone this year for a bit longer than usual and it has now produced flowers like the one in the logo.

maybe it wasn't a weed after all

 

looks like a petunia

 

My guess lavatera, from the look of the leaves.

 

Yup - at first I though some kind of geranium, but at second glance it does look like a mallow/lavatera.

 

It looks rather like Malva sylvestris. A wild flower, but very garden worthy. I sowed some four years ago, and they keep coming back.
http://www.fairyscapedaylilies.com/Malva%20sylvestris.jpg
If it is it can grow to six foot.

 

I'm still not sure it has flower buds like a lavatera but it also looks like the link from peters . I've attached some pictures below. maybe you can clear up my confusion from those.(sorry slightly blurry )

 

It's a Mallow and if I'm not mistaken, that one is called "Zabrina". I've got them in my garden and they're very welcome. When I'm doing other gardens that have poor soil, I plant one and they're there forever, bit like Nasturtiums. You usually get them growing at different speeds so you can have them all Summer. Quite a useful plant!

 

As a follow up to that. They are deep-rooted. You have to dig them up, not pull them up, unless you're Arnie

 

that great thanks. (note to self, not a weed. to be looked after. lol)

If I wanted to get it to grow elsewhere how do I go about spliting it. with cuttings? or does it produce bulbs or seeds?

 

Hi JEN, let it seed, next year you're going to have loads of little plants all over the place. Just dig them up and put them where you want them. I promise you, they are so tough you'll be hoeing out the ones you don't want, not quite a weed but as prolific as one. I'm going to have beer, now :D

 

The biggest problem I find with them is rust - apart from falling over. The first year they had no rust at all but they had it in the second year. It seems to be an occupational hazard, as with their close relatives the Hollyhock. Has anyone ever successfully overcome rust?

It grows very easily from seed, and will grow to six foot and flower in its first year. I have also transplanted seedlings. They reveal themselves pretty early on because of the size of their leaves. Mine have generally only had one stem, so division is not feasible. But it may well expand with time.

 

Hi, PeterS. That's interesting. I've never had trouble with rust on them although the Hollyhocks used to sufer from it.I got rid of it from the Hhocks by growing a rust-resistant variety from seed. I did Google it but none of the cures seemed to work. The nearest thing was Bordeaux mixture but the leaves were absolutely covered in white residue, good luck

 

Cajary - I have always been put off Hollyhocks by the rust but I am growing two varieties this year as biennials as an experiment. What rust-resistant varieties do you grow - and are you saying it really works.

 

PeterSylviae always treated Hollyhocks as perennials, not had any problems with rust (yet touch wood). I also saved some seed from last year, be interesting to see what colours come from the seeds assuming they cross pollinated.

 

Hi Pete. The variety I grow is from T&M. It's called Antwerp Mixed. You get small rust spots on the leaves (if you look closely enough ) but nothing unsightly and nothing to damage the plant. ( I've lost plants through rust, in the past) I've got spare seeds if you want them.
I think they're perrenial but take 2 yrs, from seed, to flower.
Dm,I hope you continue to be rust free like the tin-man :D