Lavatera (Mallow tree) growing out of control

Hello.
I have a couple of Lavatera tree's that seem to be growing out of control and are now over 10 feet tall.
How much do I need to cut them back bearing in mind that the previous owners have REALLY let them grow and consequently some of the branches are very thick indeed. How tall should this tree get to?
Thanks.
Blue Fingers

 

Hi Blue Fingers,

From looking at a few sites, most Lavateras should be between 3 and 4 feet high, so it sounds like there's some serious pruning to be done!

Hope this helps!

Dave

 

I planted 4 Lavateras in my father's garden some years ago, over a raised area at the bottom of his garden (previously used to dump my lawnmower cuttings).
They were about 3ft high when I planted them, and they grew to about 6ft by the winter, and stayed in flower right thro' the next year as well!
12 years on and I am still hacking them down every year to about 4ft high.

 

I agree with DAG, hack it back each year(usually after the worst storm of the Autumn has given it a hair day from hell )
Can also be grown as a ridiculous standard with branches pointing all ways; an explosion in pink.

 

If you don't you'll find lots of branches will break under the sheer weight of the flowers. I've seen loads that are far too big, but I have to say, they look glorious, spreading all over the place. Definitely one of my favourites! :D

 

they respond well to coppicing, cut them down to a foot from the ground, anytime now, it will soon be back aound 4-5 feet, and give a great show of flower

 

Hi there all.
Thank you all very much for the replies!
Me thinks I am going to be a busy person the next few days! I would post some images of the overgrown tree's for you all to laugh at if I knew how. Thanks again all.
Steve Blue Fingers

 

I love lavateras ..i let mine grow wild till the wind damages them...my other half hates them as they drop buds..i went out once and when i got back he had chopped one down i could hardly bring myself to speak to him..we have one that drops buds on the drive it really winds him up..he keeps sweeping the mess up then next day its back again...i just laugh...he will have a surprise this year as i have extra ones..they are just colourfull and nice....