Lavatera thuringiaca 'Red Rum' (Tree mallow 'Red Rum')

Botanical name

Lavatera thuringiaca 'Red Rum'

Other names

Tree mallow 'Red Rum', Tree lavatera 'Red Rum', Lavatera thuringiaca 'Rigrum', Lavatera x clementii 'Red Rum'

Genus

Lavatera Lavatera

Variety or Cultivar

'Red Rum' _ 'Red Rum' is a vigorous, compact, upright, semi-evergreen subshrub with dark red stems bearing lobed, hairy, grey-green leaves and, from midsummer into autumn, open, funnel-shaped, bright magenta flowers.

Native to

Garden origin

Foliage

Semi evergreen

Habit

Compact, Upright

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Colour

Flower

Magenta in Summer; Magenta in Autumn

Foliage

Grey-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest-free.

Diseases

May be subject to fungal diseases.

Specific diseases

Rust , Leaf and stem rot

General care

Pruning

Cut back in autumn.

Propagation methods

Stem tip cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Lavatera thuringiaca 'Red Rum' (Tree mallow 'Red Rum') will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1.5m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, City, Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Gravel, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Wallside and trellises, Wildlife

Cultivation

Grow in light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Will be evergreen in warm climates. Shelter from cold, drying winds in frost-prone areas. Often short-lived.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Lavatera thuringiaca 'Red Rum' (Tree mallow 'Red Rum')

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Lavatera thuringiaca 'Red Rum' (Tree mallow 'Red Rum')

Common pest name

cotton mealybug

Scientific pest name

Phenacoccus solenopsis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Watching brief for potential impact on tomato production in the Mediterranean. Other southern European countries likely to be more at risk. Precautionary action will be taken on findings on planting material to protect glasshouse crops and botanical gardens.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Lavatera thuringiaca 'Red Rum' (Tree mallow 'Red Rum')

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Epicauta atomaria

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

South American blister beetle; affecting solanaceous crops which (as plants for planting) are prohibited from entering the UK.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/