
Photo from Fort Bend County Master Gardeners, Texas Native Demonstration Garden |
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Pavonia is a popular garden accent plant throughout Texas, even though it originates on dry, rocky woods or banks of South, Central or West Texas. Its popularity is no doubt due to its long bloom period and versatility, accepting full sun to half day shade, a variety of soils, and very dry to regularly irrigated conditions. This small, perennial shrub is woody at the base, herbaceous above, bearing light green, velvety, heart-shaped leaves and deep rose pink miniature hibiscus-like flowers which open in the morning and close up by early afternoon in our highest heat. Its naturally loose, open-branching form may be kept more compact by frequent pruning, which promotes new growth and more flowers. Pavonia is reputed to be short-lived: 3 to 6 years, but self sows readily or may be easily propagated by saved seed or softwood cuttings.
| Common Name | Pavonia, Rose Mallow, Rock Rose, Wright Pavonia |
| Scientific Name | Pavonia lasiopetala |
| Plant Habit or Use | small shrub |
| Exposure | sun or partial sun |
| Flower Color | deep rose pink |
| Blooming Period | spring summer fall |
| Fruit Characteristics | capsule with 5 seeds |
| Height | 1.5 to 4 feet |
| Width | 3 feet |
| Plant Character | deciduous semievergreen |
| Heat Tolerance | high |
| Soil Requirements | neutral alkaline |
Above information from aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu. |
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