lavatera - tree mallow

[Anonymous]

It's looking worse this year than ever - I've had it about 5 years, and over half looks dead now. I've cut back all the wilting twigs, and some is surviving - is this just the dormancy, or do I need to replace it? Thank you, Judi</p>

[Anonymous]

Judi -

About that Lavatera - have you tried pruning it back severely? Sometimes that helps rejuvenate this plant and other chaparral shrubs.

Other than that, I have to wonder if if has a chronic disease or is being attacked by some small, hard-to-see pest. You should get a hand lens and check the bark, base of the plant, root zone and leaves very carefully.

Most mallow family plants seem to be popular with herbivores, so it is also possible that a gopher might have eaten some of the roots - not enough to kill the plant, just enough to weaken part of it. This is an opportunity for you to play plant detective and see if you can discover the cause. If you don't turn up anything, you might take one of the unhealthy branches to your local county cooperative extension service and see if they can find anything.

Good luck,

Lori </p>

[Anonymous]

Hi--saw your query, and I am loking for suggestions for my mallow tree--it also has been trying to die. interstingly, I have another one on the other side of my yard that is growing like a weed..I can't figure it out. Did you get any replies? would apprecitae any info you garnered. thanks.</p>