I wanted to title my post the botanical name for this spectacular plant, which is widely grown locally, but have abandoned my efforts after some research. An explanation would run into several hundred words, would clarify little to nothing and be tedious, so I’ve spared you that. The folk name, tree mallow, is used for several species too.
Her Pinkiness (who needs plant names anyway?) is a subshrub. A subshrub is a bushy perennial with a woody base which produces herbaceous shoots towards the top that behave more like an annual.
Vigorous enough to wave flower-filled stems higher than my head, Her Pinkiness can be seen growing over fences, and exuberantly commanding more than her share of small gardens and allotments.
From some angles, the flowers and individual stems look like a cluster of hollyhocks, but with a freer disposition. Isn’t she glorious?
Some time ago, Lavatera was renamed Malva. Those who really, really want a current name and can overlook an element of doubt could try Malva × clementii ‘Rosea’.
Shared for Cee’s Flower of the Day.
Susan Rushton 
What a beautiful flower growing in such abundance!
They tend to do far better than hollyhocks in this part of the world.
Her Pinkness is a perfect name for such a pretty, prolific posy. 😉
You’re right, each stem is a posy.
She is rather gorgeous!
Those embossed beelines help – the plant version of long, curled eyelashes.
And there was me, thinking for one glorious moment, that I had some botanical knowledge that you didn’t have!
I’m sure you do have. Would your guess be the same?
Pretty much. I’m largely an ignoramus, but have my moments which surprise even me!
Beautiful hollyhock-style flowers.
The Dr Huey of the Malva world. Vigorous, easy and so likely to be overlooked.
It’s lovely.
Beautiful no matter what it is called!
Fortunately 🙂
Did you hear me laugh? It was, as the young folks say, an LOL moment when I read “Her Pinkiness.” Even though “subshrub” may be a genuine botanical designation, it still added to the moment. Her Pinkiness is a subshrub! Not easy to say, but really who could even try to say that without feeling better? Such an in-your-face pink, however, is right to make us laugh; I think it’s insisting on it, as a matter of fact.
Need I say, I would not even whisper ‘subshrub’ were Her Pinkiness within earshot, lest it might seem to diminish… anything?
These do certainly look they’re ready for close-up pictures anytime of day.
They make excellent models.
You had an audience with H. R. M. Pinkiness! Lovely!
I was (and am) most honoured. 🙂
It is fun to see that combination of hollyhock-like buds and hibiscus-like stamens. And that color! Oh, la la!
They don’t exactly grow wild here, but they are often on the edge of wildness.
Her Pinkiness reached right off the page and woke me up!
She could be described as a little loud…
Beautiful pictures, Susan
Thanks, Derrick.