Pavonia hastata

The Pavonia hastata, commonly known as the hastate pavonia, is a semi-evergreen bush of subtropical origin that offers a generous flowering of delicate white-pink cups with a burgundy heart, measuring 5 cm (2in) in diameter, from summer to autumn. It forms a small compact and erect cushion bush, with narrow semi-evergreen foliage, glossy dark green, which gives it a rather wild look that blends well with scrubland shrubs or more rustic perennials. Not very hardy and tolerant of dry, hot, and limestone conditions, it is an ideal bush for creating full sun beds in mild climates. Grow it in full sun or partial shade, in well-draining, fertile, humus-rich, dry to moist, neutral to alkaline soil. To promote optimal flowering and maintain a harmonious habit, prune it severely at the end of winter. Its fast growth allows it to regenerate into a beautiful bush every year.

The Pavonia hastata is a not very hardy bush, semi-evergreen in our climates but evergreen in warm climates, belonging to the mallow family, just like hollyhocks and marshmallows. It originates from subtropical regions of South America and is cultivated for its long and abundant flowering. It forms a bush of  1.50 m (5ft) in all directions, with a compact habit, supported by a thin, sparse, and erect branching, with fast growth. It blooms from July to October with 5 cm (2in) mauve flowers in diameter. They consist of 5 white-pink petals with a burgundy heart, delicately streaked with red in bud. Its foliage is very healthy, shiny dark green, and narrow. The leaves are alternate, simple, hastate to lanceolate, with toothed and undulate edges. This bush may, if the summer is too hot and dry or if it lacks light and potash, produce fruit without flowering. To prevent this, simply keep the base of the plant cool during the hot period and cut it back at the end of each winter.

The Pavonia hastata appreciates bright and warm exposures and can tolerate light shade in southern regions. It requires no maintenance except for severe pruning before the start of vegetation in spring to promote flowering and maintain a compact habit. Plant it in soil that remains slightly moist from summer to autumn if you want a generous and long-lasting flowering. This bush would be perfect as a border or middle plant in beds with Mediterranean plants such as cistus, Spanish broom, lavender, and rosemary to create beautiful mass effects. Its floriferous nature allows it to be used in cottage gardens and natural-style gardens with perennials with decorative foliage such as heuchera, artemisia, and cotton lavender. Its modest size allows it to be cultivated in large pots with a nutritious substrate to fully enjoy its flowering on the terrace or balcony.