Lavatera x clementii 'Eye Catcher' (Tree mallow 'Eye Catcher')

Botanical name

Lavatera x clementii 'Eye Catcher'

Other names

Tree mallow 'Eye Catcher', Lavatera olbia 'Eye Catcher'

Genus

Lavatera Lavatera

Variety or Cultivar

'Eye Catcher' _ 'Eye Catcher' is a vigorous, upright to bushy, semi-evergreen shrub or subshrub with ovate, lobed, grey-green leaves, white-hairy beneath, and, in summer, racemes of open-funnel-shaped, veined, bright pink flowers with reddish-pink eyes.

Foliage

Semi evergreen

Habit

Upright, Bushy

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Colour

Flower

Bright-pink, Veined in Summer

Foliage

Grey-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific diseases

Rust

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 6.

Propagation methods

Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Lavatera x clementii 'Eye Catcher' (Tree mallow 'Eye Catcher') will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.9m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Wallside and trellises, Gravel

Cultivation

Grow in light, well-drained soil in sun with shelter from cold, drying winds. In cold areas, protect with hessian or fleece in winter and apply a thick mulch. If container grown, overwinter indoors in cold areas.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

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

Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Lavatera x clementii 'Eye Catcher' (Tree mallow 'Eye Catcher')

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 x clementii 'Eye Catcher' (Tree mallow 'Eye Catcher')

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 x clementii 'Eye Catcher' (Tree mallow 'Eye Catcher')

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/